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After years of waiting, Spotify has switched on Lossless streaming for Premium subscribers. It’s rolling out in select markets, with more than 50 countries set to get it through October. In plain terms: you can finally hear (almost) the full detail of the file Spotify receives, not a compressed version.
Spotify’s implementation uses FLAC up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz across nearly every song in the catalog. That’s above CD bit-depth and a clear step up from the service’s long-standing “Very High” 320 kbps option. It’s available on mobile, desktop and tablet, and on many Spotify Connect devices (with broader device support – including Sonos and Amazon – promised next month).
This does not suddenly make Spotify the most “hi-res” platform; Apple Music and Tidal go higher (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) if your setup supports it. But for the way most people actually listen, Spotify’s move is meaningful – it raises the baseline quality for a gigantic audience without changing the app or the price of Premium.
Lossless is only lossless if the connection to your ears can carry it. Bluetooth typically compresses the signal, so you’ll want wired headphones, speakers connected over the cable, or a streamer using Spotify Connect for true lossless playback. Spotify says so themselves. If you stick to Bluetooth, you’ll still get good sound – just not the full benefit.
For the record: this is one of Spotify’s most-requested features, promised back in 2021 and now finally delivered. If you don’t see it yet, don’t panic – the rollout is staged; a notification will appear in-app once your account is enabled.
Mora about the new feature can be found here!
