LOSSLESS LISTENING ARRIVES ON SPOTIFY PREMIUM
We don’t often run news about Spotify; however, they have begun rolling out lossless audio to Spotify Premium subscribers, bringing higher-resolution playback to their streaming service.
While Spotify’s popularity lags behind specialised subscription streaming and download services such as Qobuz and Tidal, in the audiophile world, it is (claims Spotify) ‘the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with more than 696 million users, including 276 million subscribers in more than 180 markets’. Audiophile users tend to gravitate more towards services like Qobuz, which has specialised in Hi Res audio since its inception in France in 2007, though recently the mainstream services such as Amazon, Apple, and now Spotify have picked up on the widening demand for better quality audio.
SPOTIFY PREMIUM LOSSLESS
The feature is being introduced gradually across more than 50 markets, including the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and Australia. Users will be notified within the app once the option becomes available to them.
Lossless streaming on Spotify Premium delivers audio in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC. This makes nearly all tracks on the platform available in higher detail, giving listeners an alternative to the compressed formats traditionally used in streaming.
DEVICE AND PLATFORM SUPPORT FOR SPOTIFY PREMIUM LOSSLESS
Lossless playback is available on mobile, desktop, and tablet, as well as through a wide range of Spotify Connect–enabled devices from brands including Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser. Support for Sonos and Amazon devices is expected next month.
SETTINGS AND FLEXIBILITY IN SPOTIFY PREMIUM LOSSLESS
Listeners can select playback quality individually for Wi-Fi, mobile data, and downloads. Options range from Low through to Very High, with the new Lossless tier now included. Spotify has added data usage indicators for each quality level, helping users make informed choices.
HOW TO ENABLE SPOTIFY PREMIUM LOSSLESS
To switch on lossless audio, subscribers can go to Profile, then Settings & Privacy and then Media Quality. Here, they can enable Lossless for Wi-Fi, cellular, and downloads. The Lossless indicator will appear in the Now Playing screen or Connect Picker once activated.
Spotify advises using wired headphones or speakers or Wi-Fi and Spotify Connect for the most reliable experience, rather than Bluetooth.
SPOTIFY PREMIUM LOSSLESS AVAILABILITY
The rollout of Spotify Premium Lossless will continue through October 2025, with availability expanding to more markets over the coming weeks.
HiFi PiG Says: Will this introduction of Spotify Premium Lossless increase the platform’s popularity with audiophile listeners? Let us know what you think over on Facebook
