Introduction
After years of anticipation, Spotify has finally introduced lossless audio streaming for its premium subscribers. If you’ve ever wondered why your favorite tracks don’t sound as crisp as vinyl or studio recordings, lossless audio is the answer. With Spotify Lossless Audio, you can now stream music in CD-quality up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, ensuring every detail of a track reaches your ears exactly how the artist intended.
This long-awaited update puts Spotify back in the race against rivals like Apple Music Hi-Res Lossless and Tidal HiFi, making it a top choice for audiophiles and everyday listeners alike. But what exactly is lossless audio, how can you enable it, and are there any downsides? Let’s break it all down.
What is Spotify Lossless Audio? 🎧
Lossless audio is a music format that preserves every detail of the original recording without compressing or stripping the file. Unlike standard streaming formats (MP3, AAC, or Ogg Vorbis) that shrink file sizes by removing parts of the audio range, lossless ensures studio-quality playback.
Spotify uses the FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format, which delivers richer bass, clearer vocals, and more natural detail.
Difference Between Lossy vs. Lossless:
- Lossy (Standard Spotify): Compressed files, smaller size, lower detail.
- Lossless (New Spotify Option): Uncompressed CD-level quality, better clarity, studio sound.
Where is Spotify Lossless Available? 🌍
Spotify is rolling out its lossless streaming feature across 50+ countries, starting in markets like:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Japan
- Sweden
- The Netherlands
- Australia
Over the next few weeks, more countries will be added until global availability is completed.
How to Enable Spotify Lossless Audio ⚙️
Once eligible, users will receive a notification in the Spotify app. To activate:
- Open Spotify App (available on mobile, desktop, or tablet).
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Audio Quality.
- Select Lossless under Wi-Fi, Mobile Data, and Downloads.
- Once enabled, your songs will play in 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC quality.
💡 Pro Tip: Make sure to switch on the setting separately on each device you use — it won’t sync automatically across devices.
Devices That Support Lossless Audio 🎶
Spotify confirms support for most devices that work with Spotify Connect, including:
- Headphones & Speakers: Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins.
- Smart Devices: Samsung, Google Nest, Yamaha, Bluesound.
- Future Updates: Sonos & Amazon Alexa-enabled speakers (coming soon).
However, Spotify warns that Bluetooth still struggles to handle true lossless quality. If you want the full hi-fi experience, you should:
- Use Spotify Connect instead of Bluetooth.
- Stream directly to compatible hi-fi speakers.
- Or use wired headphones for maximum clarity.
Data Usage & Storage Considerations 📶
Lossless audio files are much larger than compressed formats. This means:
- More data consumption if you’re streaming on mobile networks.
- Bigger storage requirements if you download offline tracks.
- Spotify allows you to monitor data usage within the app so you don’t run into surprises.
Example: A 3-minute song in lossy format may take 4-5 MB, but in lossless it might use 20-30 MB.
Spotify Pricing: Is Lossless Audio Extra? 💰
Unlike earlier rumors of a separate Spotify HiFi plan, Spotify has integrated lossless streaming within its Premium subscription.
- Current Premium Users: No extra cost, you get lossless automatically.
- New Subscribers: The plan starts from standard Premium pricing ($9.99 in the US, ₹119 in India, £9.99 UK, etc.).
This decision makes Spotify more competitive against Tidal HiFi (which charges extra) and Apple Music (which includes lossless at no added cost).
Pros and Cons of Spotify Lossless 🎯
✅ Pros:
- Uncompressed studio-quality sound (FLAC 24-bit).
- Works on most devices via Spotify Connect.
- No extra cost beyond premium subscription.
- Covers almost the entire 100M+ song library.
- Easy to enable on both mobile and desktop apps.
❌ Cons:
- Bluetooth limitation: Can’t deliver true lossless quality.
- No unified setting sync – must enable individually per device.
- Higher data consumption & storage requirements.
- Not yet available worldwide (rolling out in phases).
How Does Spotify Compare with Competitors? ⚔️
| Feature | Spotify Lossless | Apple Music | Tidal HiFi | Amazon Music HD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | 24-bit/44.1 kHz | Up to 24-bit/192 kHz | Up to 24-bit/192 kHz | Up to 24-bit/192 kHz |
| Price | Premium only ($9.99) | $10.99 included | $19.99 HiFi Plus | $9.99 included |
| Library Size | 100M+ | 100M+ | 80M+ | 100M+ |
| Device Support | Spotify Connect | AirPlay 2, Bluetooth | HiFi Devices | Echo, HiFi Devices |
| Offline Downloads | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Spotify lags slightly behind in maximum resolution compared to Apple Music Hi-Res or Tidal Masters, but for the average listener, the difference between CD-quality FLAC and Hi-Res is negligible.
Final Thoughts: Is Spotify Lossless Worth It? 🎼
Spotify’s jump into lossless streaming is a game-changer for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. With over 100 million songs now available in FLAC, Spotify is finally closing the gap it had with Apple, Tidal, and Amazon.
For users who already have a Spotify Premium subscription, this comes at no additional charge, making it one of the best deals in high-fidelity streaming right now.
If you’re using wired headphones, hi-fi speakers, or Spotify Connect devices, you’ll immediately notice the difference in sound quality. But if your listening setup is limited to Bluetooth earbuds, you might not fully experience the potential of lossless audio.
