Spotify Finally Adds Lossless Audio Support for Paid Users

Photo Credit: Spotify

Lossless listening is finally coming to Spotify, which has officially started rolling out the long-awaited audio upgrade across north of 50 markets.

Technically, this gradual rollout is expected to run through October. But that’s a relatively short wait with all things considered, as audiophiles (or at least feature-minded subscribers) have been eagerly anticipating Spotify HiFi for years now.

To be sure, DMN has covered numerous HD-listening rumblings since 2021, when both Amazon Music and Apple Music embraced audio-quality upgrades at no added cost to consumers.

Despite facing a steady stream of complaints (and presumably some subscription cancellations) from the mentioned audiophiles, though, Spotify had until now resisted calls to make a similar move.

But between slowing subscriber growth in established markets and not-so-subtle ambitions to launch higher-priced superfan packages, the streaming landscape has changed significantly in recent years.

Back to Spotify’s lossless boost, then, the platform pointed specifically to support for “up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC” audio.

(At the risk of raining on the lossless parade – or sparking an audio-fidelity debate – it should be noted that the high-end sample rate is the same as before and falls beneath the 192 kHz max boasted by Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and Qobuz alike, according to DMN Pro’s Audio Fidelity Tracker.)

Regarding availability, the improved audio is, of course, in place solely for Spotify subscribers, who will receive a notification when the upgrade goes live. Notwithstanding the previously highlighted gradual release, paid users in Australia, Japan, the U.S., the U.K., and other leading markets “have already started to get access,” per Spotify.

A couple side notes: Listeners must “enable Lossless manually on each device,” the DSP communicated; the feature is currently up and running on mobile, desktop, tablet, and “many devices that support Spotify Connect.”

As things stand, the most conspicuous support shortcoming is hitting Sonos and Amazon devices, which won’t get in on the lossless action until next month, Spotify relayed.

Absent from Spotify’s formal announcement is any reference whatsoever to a Super-Premium tier, which has long been rumored and was (is?) expected to encompass HD listening.

Moving forward, it’ll certainly be worth keeping an eye out for the inevitable debut of a superfan plan. While the exact offerings therein also remain to be seen, the platform seemingly has a good amount to work with in the form of messaging, lossless, playlist mixing, exclusive videos, and more.

Additionally, the major labels are definitely on board with the idea of upping pricing, and a Spotify exec last month strongly hinted at further increases tied to new features.