Lossless Audio Might Be Coming to Spotify Soon
Spotify CEO, Daniel Ek, has confirmed that high-fidelity (hi-fi) audio, also known as lossless audio, is coming to the platform soon, upgrading the music streaming experience.
Straight from the Horse’s Mouth
This version, which Ek called “deluxe,” will offer superior sound quality and advanced user control. During Spotify’s latest earnings call, Ek provided a glimpse into the features of the upcoming tier.
“The plan here is to offer a much better version of Spotify,” Ek said. He emphasized that the deluxe tier would provide all the benefits of the existing Premium plan but with enhanced audio quality and additional features.
Although specific details remain under wraps, Ek hinted at improved library management, AI-powered playlists, and headphone sound optimization.
The lossless audio tier is expected to be an add-on to the current $11.99 monthly Premium subscription, bringing the total cost to around $17 or $18. This price tag aligns with what Bloomberg had reported back in June.
Now, we have more official confirmation.
A Long Three Years
Spotify first started talking about lossless audio around three years ago, announcing their plans in February 2021. However, it faced numerous challenges, which ultimately resulted in the release being postponed. In the meantime, its rivals, like Apple Music and Amazon Music, started offering hi-fi audio in their standard subscription plans.
Steady Growth
This announcement comes at a time when Spotify is experiencing notable growth and price adjustments. For the last two years, the streaming company has been increasing the price of its standard subscription, peaking at $11.99 per month this year.
One would think that these hikes would turn away customers. Instead, Spotify reported steady subscriber growth, reaching 246 million paying users in the second quarter of 2024, a 12% increase year-over-year (YoY).
Financially speaking, the lossless audio upgrade could boost Spotify’s revenue, tempting users with a “better experience for a little bit more” concept. It could also diversify its offerings. Not every user can afford 18$ to listen to music, but they still have a cheaper option as well. No music lover will be left behind.
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