Theage of streaminghas been instrumental in making music more accessible than ever, for both artists and consumers, but the shift from listening to music with analog equipment to our phones and laptops means that sound quality tends to differ. So if you’rea Spotify userlooking for some tips to instantlyboost the qualityof the app’s streaming capabilities, we’re here to help.
Spotify is a popular audio streaming platform that offers music, audiobooks, and podcasts. It can be used on mobile and on desktop, allowing you to listen to music in a ton of different places. You can even download music to your smartwatch.
Is Spotify’s audio really lossless, or just close enough?
Whether or not it makes a difference is another matter.
Tips to boost Spotify’s sound quality
Volume normalization, EQ settings, and Spotify Premium make a difference
We’ll get into what hardware is best in the next section, but if you’re just interested in some quick settings to make sure you have the best streaming experience, then this is what you’re looking for:
Tidal is moving away from MQA in favor of HiRes FLAC
The company is also dropping support for 360 Reality Audio, instead turning toward Dolby Atmos.
Spotify HiFi, the company’s lossless audio subscription tier, is slated to drop sometime this year, but it’s been delayed for about three years, so it’s best not to hold your breath.
6 ways to get Spotify Premium for free
If you’re finally finished with an ad ruining your perfect playlist, here’s how to get Premium benefits for free.
Your device (and headphones) matter
Going wired can make a difference
Once you get software sorted out, it’s important to also note that the hardware you’re using makes a difference during your listening experience. For example, Bluetooth headphones are super convenient, but won’t sound as good as wired headphones (this goes for any music-listening situation), and, the Spotify desktop app running on a PC will sound better than streaming via a smartphone.
A nice pair of headphones (preferablywiredif you’re really an audiophile) will really be the biggest factor when it comes to getting the best audio quality, but if you just follow the tips in the previous section, you’ll still be getting some solid sound.
Best wired headphones: Amp up sound and aesthetic
Wired headphones are making a comeback for their style and sound quality, and these are the leaders of the pack.
