I've been hearing mixed opinions about Spotify's audio quality, with some saying it's not as good as other music streaming platforms. I've done some digging online but I'm still a bit confused. Can anyone clarify whether Spotify's audio quality is generally worse, and at what level of headphone or speaker quality would I start to notice a real difference?
3 Answers
Spotify tops out at 320 kbps with its OGG codec. In comparison, services like Apple Music and Amazon offer lossless audio, which is closer to CD quality. Technically, lossless can be better than 320 kbps, but in tests, most people struggle to hear any differences. So, if you have high-end audio equipment, it’s worth considering lossless, but for regular use, I often can't tell the difference between Apple lossless and YouTube Music at 256 kbps. The main difference is with Dolby Atmos tracks due to their unique mixing style. If you’re just using budget earphones or a basic sound system, upgrading from Spotify probably won’t matter much at all.
Yes, Spotify's audio quality tends to get a bad rap compared to platforms like Tidal or Apple Music, which provide lossless options. The compression on Spotify can be noticeable to some, while others might not pick up on it at all. It’s actually pretty easy to find this info online, so don’t feel bad for asking!
Spotify and YouTube use lossy compression, while many other services offer lossless audio. Generally, switching from lossy to lossless can improve sound quality, but if you're streaming over Bluetooth, that difference is often reduced. You might not notice a significant change unless you have a really high-quality setup.
Thanks for the insights! I did read about lossless audio but it was hard to distinguish the numbers. I might be overthinking it after a long day!