Spotify is gearing up to increase its subscription prices in some regions, with plans to introduce a higher-tier "Music Pro" subscription offering lossless audio and additional features.
Rumors surrounding Spotify's introduction of lossless audio have circulated for some time, predating Apple Music's adoption of lossless support in 2021. Despite previous speculation about "Spotify HiFi," a recent report from The Verge unveils the company's intentions to unveil a new "Music Pro" plan.
Hidden code within the Spotify app sheds light on what users can expect from the enhanced "Music Pro" plan. The standout feature is support for lossless audio, with Spotify offering FLAC audio files up to 24-bit/44.1kHz. In comparison, Apple Music provides lossless files ranging from 16-bit/44.1 kHz (CD Quality) to 24-bit/192 kHz.
For those unfamiliar with lossless audio, it retains all original audio data during compression, resulting in sound quality identical to the master file. To fully appreciate lossless audio, specialized equipment like premium wired headphones is recommended.
In addition to lossless audio, Spotify plans to include other enhancements in its Music Pro tier. These may include a new remix feature allowing users to manipulate tracks and potential headphone optimization for specific models such as Apple's AirPods. Furthermore, advanced AI-based filters for playlist creation and discovery are hinted at.
Details regarding the launch date and pricing for Spotify's Music Pro tier remain undisclosed. While Spotify aims to justify the higher price with lossless audio, Apple Music has notably made hi-fi audio available to all subscribers at its current $10.99 monthly rate in the US.
Would you be willing to pay more for lossless audio on Spotify, or would you consider switching to Apple Music? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Additionally, Spotify Premium for Mac and Windows now features a miniplayer, and the platform introduces the real-time listening parties feature 'Jam' to its desktop app.
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