Spotify Finally Launches Lossless Audio After 8-Year Wait
▼ Summary
– Spotify has officially launched lossless audio for all Premium subscribers after years of rumors and delays, with no new higher-priced tier required.
– The feature will roll out over two months in 50 markets, including the US, UK, Japan, and several European countries.
– Users will receive in-app notifications and can enable lossless in settings, with an indicator showing during playback on supported devices from brands like Sony and Bose.
– Spotify’s lossless audio is limited to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, lower than competitors like Apple Music and Tidal, which may leave room for future premium tiers.
– YouTube remains the only major streaming service without lossless audio, with no indication from Google of plans to add it.
After an exceptionally long wait spanning nearly a decade, Spotify has officially launched its lossless audio feature, bringing high-fidelity streaming to its massive user base. Speculation about this upgrade has persisted since 2017, with repeated delays testing the patience of audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Now, the moment has finally arrived, and the rollout brings a welcome surprise for subscribers.
Unlike initial expectations, lossless audio will not be locked behind a new, more expensive subscription tier. Instead, all Premium users in select regions will gain access at no extra cost. Over the next two months, the feature will become available in 50 markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and several European countries. Users will receive an in-app notification once lossless is available in their account, allowing them to enable it through the media quality settings.
When active, a visual indicator will appear in the Now Playing bar and Connect Picker, confirming that lossless playback is underway. Compatible hardware from brands like Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser will support the feature from day one, with Sonos and Amazon devices expected to join next month.
There is, however, a notable limitation. Spotify’s lossless streams max out at 24-bit/44.1kHz FLAC, falling short of the 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res FLAC offered by competitors like Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz. For most listeners, this difference will be imperceptible without high-end equipment, but it leaves room for Spotify to potentially introduce a higher-tier offering in the future.
With this launch, YouTube Music now stands alone among major streaming platforms in lacking a lossless option, with no indication from Google that such a feature is in development. For Spotify users, though, the long-promised upgrade is here, and it’s included with their existing subscription.
(Source: The Verge)
