What is Lossless Listening, Spotify’s new high-quality audio characteristic?

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“Lossless refers to when there’s no change between what you deliver to a streaming service and what the listener hears,” Jack Mason, Spotify Studios producer and engineer, mentioned in an Instagram Reel.

A brand new, high-resolution audio format has simply launched on Spotify.

Spotify introduced Lossless Listening on Wednesday, Sept. 10. The new characteristic permits customers to stream music in 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, the least compressed and highest decision audio format. Simply put, the audio is richer-sounding than common, customary audio.

Due to their excessive decision, lossless audio recordsdata are giant in measurement. For the time being, Spotify customers ought to solely take heed to music at this high quality with wired headphones or audio system on a non-Bluetooth connection, based on a Spotify news release. Bluetooth at the moment would not present sufficient bandwidth to transmit the file sizes of lossless audio.

Additionally, as a result of the recordsdata are so giant, customers needs to be ready for tracks to take a second to play, fairly than instantaneously, the information launch states.

Here’s what to find out about Spotify’s new characteristic.

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What does Lossless Listening imply?

Spotify’s Lossless Listening, or extra typically lossless audio, is described as compressed recordsdata that retain the entire authentic recording audio info, based on audio tech model Sonos. In distinction, lossy audio is a compressed file format that deletes a number of the authentic audio info.

“Lossless refers to when there’s no change between what you deliver to a streaming service and what the listener hears,” Jack Mason, Spotify Studios producer and engineer, mentioned in an Instagram Reel. “Without lossless, track files might get compressed in the encoding process, which might not lend to the best quality.”

Going a bit additional, each digital audio file accommodates snapshots of a recording’s authentic soundwave. Stitch these snapshots collectively and you’ve got a copy of the unique recording, based on Sonos. The extra snapshots, the upper the pattern charge. The greater the pattern charge, the upper the standard.

Additionally, these digital snapshots seize a wider vary between the tender and loud sounds of a recording and have the next bit depth, which additionally contributes to greater high quality, Sonos states.

A excessive pattern charge, in tandem with a excessive bit depth, leads to an audio file that’s practically indistinguishable from an authentic recording. This is lossless audio.

In phrases of Spotify’s lossless audio, which is out there at 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, this refers to a 24-bit depth and a 44.1 kHz pattern charge.

How to activate Spotify Lossless Listening

If Spotify’s Lossless Listening is out there in your gadget, this is learn how to flip it on:

• Tap your profile icon within the prime left nook of the Spotify cellular app
• Tap Settings & Privacy
• Tap Media high quality
• Select the place you wish to allow lossless audio (accessible underneath Wi-Fi, mobile and obtain streaming qualities)

Lossless Listening is out there on Spotify cellular, pill and desktop apps. When Lossless Listening is enabled, an icon will seem the place the observe title is displayed.

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When is Lossless Listening accessible on Spotify?

Lossless Listening is out there for choose Spotify Premium subscribers in Australia, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, the United States and the United Kingdom, based on the news release. More markets will see the characteristic in October.

Do you want Spotify Premium for Lossless Listening?

Yes, Lossless Listening is just accessible to Spotify Premium subscribers. Spotify Premium Individual plans are $11.99 monthly.

Does Lossless Listening apply to podcasts and audiobooks, too?

No, Spotify’s Lossless Listening solely applies to music streamed on the app, Spotify engineer John Cieslik-Bridgen advised USA TODAY.

Do different music streaming platforms supply lossless audio?

Yes, Apple Music and Amazon Music each supply lossless audio. Apple Music started providing lossless audio in 2021, whereas Amazon Music added it in 2019. The characteristic is out there for paid subscribers of the streaming providers.

Greta Cross is a nationwide trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story thought? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.