Here is a little-known fact about streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music: they all let you listen to audio at different resolutions. A lesser-known fact: the default playback setting on most of them isn’t the highest.
You might be thinking, ‘Why would anybody choose to listen to worse audio?’ Well, the short answer is that compressed audio files take up less space on your phone. And without a good set of headphones or speakers, it can be hard to tell a difference.
But it’s there.
When high-res is turned on, the soundstage is bigger and you can more easily distinguish between the mids and highs; sometimes you can even hear where the musicians and vocalists are standing in relation to one another on the stage or in the recording studio.
Here’s how to make sure you’re getting the most out of Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and YouTube Music.
Spotify
Default Audio Quality: 96 kbit/s Max Audio Quality: 320 kbit/s Cost: $9.99 per month
By default, Spotify streams 96 kbp/s audio tracks. Premium subscribers can upgrade to 320 kbp/s, which is a very high-quality stream, but still not on the same level of audio quality found on a CD.
Default Audio Quality: N/A Max Audio Quality: 256 kbp/s Cost: Apple Music costs $9.99 per month
Apple Music streams at a bitrate of 256kbps, which seems lower than Spotify’s 320 kbp/s at face value, but it’s not exactly like-for-like because Apple Music uses its own AAC audio codec. Apple also defaults to audio of the highest quality, assuming your device is connected to Wi-Fi. When streaming over cellular, however, the audio quality goes down.
To change this:
• Open the Settings app > Music > Mobile Data > Streaming > High-Quality Streaming
Default Audio Quality: N/A Max Audio Quality: 256 kbp/s Cost: Amazon Music Unlimited costs $9.99 per month, or $7.99 if you’re a Prime subscriber
Amazon has two “entry-level” music streaming services, Prime Music and Music Unlimited, both of which are able to stream audio at a maximum of 256 kbp/s. If you’re unfamiliar, Prime Music is free for Prime subscribers while Music Unlimited costs $9.99 per month (without Prime) and gives you access to way more songs, as well as some audio customization options. By default, Amazon Music doesn’t stream at its highest audio quality, so you’ll want to adjust that.
To adjust the audio quality:
• Open Amazon Music app > click the vertical dots in the upper right corner of ‘Browse” page > Settings > Streaming audio quality > High
Amazon just announced a high-quality music streaming service, Amazon Music HD, which is able to stream lossless audio (the same or better audio quality than a CD). The company claims it’s able to stream HD (850 kbp/s) and Ultra HD (3,730 kbp/s) tracks. It’s a direct competitor to Tidal and costs $14.99 or $12.99 per month for Prime members.
Default Audio Quality: 128 kbp/s Max Audio Quality: 256 kbp/s Cost: YouTube Music costs $9.99 per month
Google’s streaming service, YouTube Music, is popular amougst Android users as it delivers the best integration with other Google services, including Google Assistant. It streams in 128 kbp/s by defalt in “Normal” quality, but Premium subscribers can also select a “High quality” option to stream 256 kbp/s audio.
To adjust the audio quality:
• Open the YouTube Music app > select your profile picture > Settings > Audio quality on Wi-Fi > High (or Always High)
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 25 percent off, you do it.
When you're not using it, it functions just like any other mirror in your house. When you turn it on, Mirror reveals an LCD panel with stereo speakers and access to hundreds of workout classes.
If you're a student, there's never been a better time to get a Hulu subscription. The discount also doesn't expire — it lasts as long as you're enrolled as a student.
Yeti mugs are some of our favorites and any time one goes on sale, we jump on it because they usually end up selling out fast. This mug might be perfect.
The Killshot OG SP offers all the low-key design appeal of its better-known counterpart, with some serious throwback flair added in for good measure. And right now, it's under 50 bucks.
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
These cotton percale sheets boast a 270 thread count and always stay cool — perfect for hot sleepers. Brooklinen is one of our go-to's for linens, especially at 15 percent off.
Gore-Tex uppers and Primaloft insulation combined with the classic Bean Boot silhouette make this a no brainer for deep winter, whether you're digging out the driveway or stomping around in puddles.
Sonos’s entry-level soundbar that doubles as a smart speaker and normally costs $399 is now sold refurbished for a big price drop, taking the sting out of the original price.
Adidas used sustainable Parley Primeblue material to make its Primeknit upper even better, then combined it with Boost midsoles to make the ultimate earth-conscious workout shoe.
The Jabra Elite Active 65t are sports-focused headphones (IP56) with better great sound quality for listening to music and taking calls. Also compatible with Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant, this is one of our top picks for sports-focused earbuds.
This humble watch cap from Todd Snyder is made and designed in Japan using traditional and modern manufacturing techniques, guaranteeing you get the quality you expect.
If you want to stay cozy but are tired of sweatpants, flannel-lined pants are the move. The warmth of flannel and the style of a chino combine like marshmallows and hot chocolate.
Keep an eye on your home from anywhere with these surveillance cameras from Google Nest. 24/7 motion and sound alerts are pushed to the free Nest app, giving you the ease of mind you expect from a security system.
An elegant addition to your office, lounge, or bedroom, this watch winder keeps your automatic watches powered with up to 1,200 turns per day and three different rotational directions.
This humidifier brings a cool mist to whichever room you need it and can diffuse essential oils if you want to add a scent. It comes with a remote, 12-hour timer, and clean tank technology to prevent the build-up of mold and mildew.
Chaco bolstered its original Z sandal with a pillow-top footbed and dubbed the new version the Z/Cloud. Everything you want from Chaco — a sturdy and simple sandal — with next-level comfort.
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
