If you are seriously passionate about the audio fidelity of your music, then maybe streaming services are not your favorite target. But you can actually get high quality sound with some of the services on the market:there are many variations to consider depending on the platform you are using and whether you pay or not.
While we won’t go into too much detail on the technical aspects of audio formats here, you’ll find three main levels of audio quality in different streaming services: first are lossy compressed formats, such as AAC and MP3 encoded at bit rates. up to 320 kbps (the higher the better).
As you upgrade to better, lossless sound formats, the measurements differ: there is CD-quality audio encoded at a depth of 16 bits up to a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz (the equivalent of 1,411 kbps), and 24-bit studio quality encoded audio up to 192 kHz (the equivalent of 9,216 kbps).
Going through these audio levels is the same as upgrading to a better camera to improve photo quality and get more-resolution images: there is a lot more information and information stored as the quality of the tracks increases.
Qobuz
Qobuz is proud of the quality of the music it conveys. Their plans go as far as studio quality (i.e., 24-bit, 192-kHz encoded FLAC format) and the plan will get you back $ 15 a month (less if you pay a year each time). There are computer and mobile applications available, as well as a web player.
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The recently announced association between Qobuz and Sonos offers audiophiles another option to choose from. Qobuz is the first service to offer a lossless 24-bit format on Sonos systems, so if they are the speakers you have set up at home (or are thinking of buying), Qobuz is a suitable product.resolution audio partner.
The sea
Audio quality has been a selling point for The sea from the beginning, and if you pay the $ 20 premium /monthly plan will get you 16-bit, 44.1 kHz quality music. There is also a selection of master quality albums (i.e. 24-bit and up to 192 kHz), but they are included as part of the Tidal HiFi plan. The standard $ 10The premium package plus provides you music up to 320 kbps in quality.
Tidal has also partnered with several speaker manufacturers to ensure high quality playback outside of your apps and mobile devices: Bluesound, Denon, Naim, Cambridge Audio, and Astell & Kern are some of the many companies that have signed up. However, the transmission to the speakers (including Sonos) exceeds 16 bits instead of 24 bits.
Amazon Music
Amazon offers a number of somewhat baffling music streaming packages, from the free to the Prime package to high fidelity, and the latter is Amazon Music HD. Match Tidal by offering its entire 16-bit / 44.1 kHz catalog and a smaller 24-bit / 192 kHz music subsection, and it will cost you $ 13 a month if you are already subscribed to Prime and $ 15. per month if you are not.
In addition to playing this 24-bit music on your mobile and desktop devices, it also supports a limited number of speakers and associated equipment.specifically, Echo Studio, Echo Link and Echo Amp. As long as you’re willing to go all-in on Amazon’s ecosystem, you can stream high-resolution music throughout the house.
Deezer
Among the many reasons to sign up Deezer is the Deezer HiFi plan, which serves your music in 16-bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC quality for $ 15 a month. Follow the $ 10 a month plan and get up to 320 kbps in terms of streaming quality, and if you’re a non-paying user on the Deezer platform, you’re limited to 128 kbps.
If you opt for the first-class HiFi plan, you can enjoy this sound fidelity on all platforms and devices where Deezer is supported (and the list it is long, from consoles to the web player). No 24-bit plan is available yet, but the 16-bit one works almost everywhere.
Spotify
If you are paying $ 10 a month and using the dedicated one Spotify for desktop or mobile applications instead of the web player, you can get up to 320 kbps. HRead the application settings on your platform choose and look for the audio quality section to make sure you always get the best quality possible. JoIf you leave this setting on Automatic, Spotify adjusts the bit rate to match your internet connection. For free users, the rate reaches 160 kbps.
Better audio fidelity arrives, But. After this year, Spotify will be launched Spotify HiFi for an additional undisclosed fee and this will guarantee you “lossless audio CD quality”, whether you’re listening on a device or through a Spotify Connect speaker setup. As soon as it launches properly, we’ll get to you all the details.
Apple Music
Apple does not publicly disclose the bit rate that its songs transmit worldwide Apple Music platform, although the general consensus is that “s AAC 256 kbps based on tracks like the files you can buy in iTunes. For now, it’s one size fits any option; there is no free level.
Apple has always been very surprised to be interested in audio fidelity, since it began offering digital downloads at the beginning of the millennium, and this makes us think that something equivalent to Spotify HiFi will not be too far. It has been offering lossless downloads for purchase for years, but so far they are not transmitted.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music matches Apple Music in its 256 kbps AAC streaming quality, unless you currently do not subscribe to the premium service, in which case you will reach 128 kbps AAC.
There are no desktop apps with YouTube Music, but you can specify streaming quality in web and mobile apps – the options are similar to those you get with Spotify. Open the device settings screen, and in the playback and audio quality menus, you can set the quality for Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and tracks downloaded to your device.