Spotify Launches Long-Awaited Lossless Audio Streaming for Premium Subscribers

Spotify has officially rolled out its long-anticipated lossless audio streaming feature for Premium subscribers, marking a significant upgrade in audio quality after years of speculation and delays. The feature, which supports streaming in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC format, is now available in over 50 markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, and several others. Users will receive in-app notifications when the feature becomes accessible to them, and it can be enabled through the app's settings.

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The new lossless audio feature allows Spotify Premium users to stream music without the compression that typically occurs with standard formats like MP3. This results in a richer and more detailed listening experience, as the audio retains all original data from the recordings. Spotify emphasizes that this upgrade is available at no additional cost, countering earlier speculation that it would be part of a higher-priced subscription tier, such as a "super-Premium" or "Music Pro" plan.

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Spotify's lossless audio will be compatible with a range of devices, including those from Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser. Support for Sonos and Amazon devices is expected to be added in the coming weeks. However, users are advised to connect via wired headphones or speakers, as Bluetooth technology currently lacks the bandwidth to transmit lossless audio without compression.

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Gustav Gyllenhammar, Spotify's Vice President of Subscriptions, stated, “The wait is finally over; we’re so excited lossless sound is rolling out to Premium subscribers. We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step.” He highlighted that the implementation allows users to enjoy a superior listening experience while maintaining control over their audio settings.

Lossless Listening Arrives on Spotify Premium With a Richer, More Detailed Listening Experience — Spotify

Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, some critics have pointed out that Spotify's lossless audio quality still falls short compared to competitors like Apple Music and Tidal, which offer higher resolutions of up to 24-bit/192 kHz. This limitation may disappoint audiophiles seeking the highest fidelity in their music. Additionally, the delayed rollout has raised questions about Spotify's responsiveness to user demands, especially as rivals have long provided similar features.

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While Spotify claims that nearly every track in its extensive catalog of over 100 million songs will be available in lossless format, there may still be some exceptions. The company has not specified the exact percentage of tracks that will support lossless audio, leaving some uncertainty for users.

Variety Magazine

The rollout of lossless audio is expected to continue throughout October, with Spotify aiming to expand access to additional markets. As the streaming landscape becomes increasingly competitive, Spotify's introduction of this feature is seen as a crucial step in retaining its subscriber base and enhancing its service offerings.

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• “Gustav Gyllenhammar, VP of Subscriptions, said: ‘The wait is finally over; we’re so excited lossless sound is rolling out to Premium subscribers.” — Gustav Gyllenhammar, VP Subscriptions, Spotify

Metro UK

• “We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step” — Gustav Gyllenhammar, VP Subscriptions, Spotify

Distractify

With the launch of lossless audio, Spotify is positioning itself to better compete in the crowded music streaming market, responding to long-standing user demands for improved sound quality while maintaining its commitment to accessibility for all Premium subscribers.

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