Streaming service Spotify will come ‘later this year’ with a new subscription formula for audio in a higher resolution. According to the company, Spotify HiFi, as the new formula is called, offers ‘music of CD quality’.
The news was announced on Monday evening during an online press event of the streaming service. The exact launch date, the markets where Spotify HiFi will be available, and the HiFi subscription price have not yet been revealed. It is also not yet clear what sound quality the formula will offer exactly.
Currently, Spotify can stream at a maximum of 320 kbps. That is comparable to the quality of a decent MP3, but CD quality (16-bit and 44.1 kHz) is significantly higher at 1,411 kbps. If it sounds a bit better, then Hi-Res Audio is what you are looking for (24-bit, 192 kHz).
The French streaming and download service Qobuz promises bitrates up to 9,216 kbps for its Hi-Res formula. Competitor Tidal achieves 3,000 kbps, and Amazon Music goes up to 3,730 kpbs (although that so-called Ultra HD formula is not yet available with us). Spotify HiFi is also expected to throw at least 1,411 kbps into the fray.
In 2020, Spotify paid out more than $ 5 billion to the artists who offer their music through the platform.
