What's Happening?
Spotify has launched HD lossless audio for its Premium subscribers, a feature that has been highly anticipated for years. This new offering allows users to stream music in up to 24-bit depth at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz using the FLAC codec. The rollout is occurring gradually across more than 50 markets, including the U.S., and is expected to be completed by October. This move comes after competitors like Apple Music and Amazon Music introduced similar features in previous years. Spotify's lossless audio is available on various devices, including mobile, desktop, and third-party devices that support Spotify Connect.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of lossless audio by Spotify is significant as it addresses long-standing user demands for higher audio quality, aligning Spotify with competitors who have already offered this feature. This enhancement could potentially increase user satisfaction and retention among Premium subscribers, as it provides a superior listening experience. Additionally, it positions Spotify more competitively in the music streaming market, which is crucial for maintaining its market share against rivals like Apple Music and Amazon Music.
What's Next?
Spotify plans to continue the rollout of lossless audio to additional markets through October. Users will need to manually enable the feature on their devices, and Spotify recommends using wired headphones or speakers for the best experience. The company is also working on expanding support for more third-party devices, including those from Sonos and Amazon, which will be available later in October.
