In this video, I go into detail explaining the difference with all of the different streaming services with regards to high resolution audio and lossless or CD quality music streaming. I compare services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, and KZfaq Music.
Alright, let’s start with defining some terms. I’m going to use the term Lossless when the song is bit-for-bit the same as a Compact Disc. This is a 16-bit, 44.1Khz sample rate digital audio file. The same standard that’s been widely available since the mid 80s. I’m going to use the term High Resolution for Lossless audio that exceeds CD specifications, while still remaining bit-for-bit the same as the original master recording.
The bit-depth directly relates to the dynamic range. This can potentially benefit dynamic recordings, such as classical and traditional jazz by minimizing the distortion of the softer end of dynamics.
Alright, my first and favorite one to make fun of is Tidal. Tidal does offer Lossless CD quality audio with their HiFi tier. HiFi not to be confused with Hi Resolution, an important distinction to make with these buzzwords. This HiFi tier runs $9.99 a month
Where it gets entertaining is when it comes to their “High Resolution” tier, HiFi Plus. This tier is an absolute joke. They use a licensed proprietary format called MQA. This “High Resolution” is actually lossy, meaning it’s not bit-for-bit the same as the master recording. And to make matters worse, you actually need to spend money on specific external hardware to actually decode their “lossy” fake high resolution music. This tier of their service will cost you 19.99 a month.
I’m sure you can find some idiots in the comments section here who drank the MQA kool-aid making the most ignorant comments, so feel free to make fun of them in the comments section. These people are so unhinged that one of these morons actually called me a racist in a comment for making fun of an audio format.
And now on to Spotify. Good news! Spotify has announced that their Lossless audio will begin in 2021! (Crickets). No you didn’t click on an old video. We’re still waiting. However, rather than focusing on their Lossless audio streaming, they have wisely jumped into the world of NFTs!
Next up is Apple Music. The thing I like about them is that they actual use accurate terminology and don’t rely upon buzzwords to mislead consumers. They offer both Lossless and High Resolution music to consumers. The cost for the service is 9.99 a month and that includes the lossless and the high resolution music as well.
Another service that offers Lossless CD-quality audio is Deezer. If your inner 12-year old can stop from giggling at the name, you’ll find a genuine lossless audio tier with their service. However, they do not offer high resolution music at this time. They refer to their lossless audio tier as Hi Fi and it runs 14.99 a month.
Amazon Music Unlimited is another service that offers both lossless and high-resolution music. It refers to their CD quality lossless audio as Hi Definition. This is a bit of a misnomer, since it’s the same resolution that people were listening to music on in the 1980s. They call their high-resolution format Ultra High Definition, I guess to get people to equate that with video quality. Anyway, the cost for their streaming music is 9.99 a month.
Another quality choice for lossless and high resolution music is Qobuz. Qobuz is a French company, that’s been offering lossless and high resolution music much longer than all the others. In addition to streaming in high-resolution and lossless, they offer many of their tracks for purchase. The service is a very reasonably priced at 12.99 a month. While their focus has traditionally been classical music, they currently offer a massive catalog across all genres.
And lastly we have KZfaq Music. Yeah, they don’t offer lossless or high resolution. And they also haven’t announced either of those, so I wouldn’t hold your breath, but the service is what it is.
So which service do I recommend? For straight up lossless, high-resolution audio, I would recommend either Amazon Music Unlimited or Apple Music. Your preference may be based upon which company you hate the least. However, Apple Music does have more music exclusives than Amazon Music Unlimited.
If you really enjoy classical music, or are looking to additionally purchase high-resolution music tracks, I’d highly recommend Qobuz for only $3 more.
I wouldn’t recommend Deezer to anybody, unless you like spending more money for a worse product.
One last thing that I’ll mention. All of these streaming services offer family plans for multiple users in the same family for about 50% more.
Written, Produced, and edited by Lorne Bregitzer, and Associate Professor for the University of Colorado Denver in the Music & Entertainment Industry Studies Department under the College of Arts & Media.