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 Small Batch Limited Edition Collection from Georgia Boot is the style you love of the classic work boot with improved comfort technologies for today’s consumer.
Yes, Mother's Day is almost here and you should probably get flowers for your mom. If you pre-order from Bouqs, you can get 20% off any of its Mother's Day selection.
Summer is coming and you need a new pair of shades. Right now you can get a pair from Garrett Leight, the California-based brand that outfits celebs like Brad Pitt, for 25% off.
According to our editors, this is the best overall synthetic down jacket to buy in 2021. It is a no-frills insulation layer that has some stretch for comfort and has been updated with a more relaxed fit than previous iterations.
As Nike has stepped its game up, so have other elite running brands. The Carbon X is Hoka One One's foray into running shoes with a springy carbon plate for efficiency and a propulsive ride.
Nike is revolutionizing running and running shoe tech with its NEXT% series — these are the ultimate runners for daily training. These rarely go on sale, so pick some up while you can.
This compact portable charger from Anker might be diminutive, but it packs a big punch. Not only will this keep your phone topped up, but it can even charge an Apple Macbook Pro or Air.
Dyson makes some of the smartest home appliances around, including its exceptional fans and air purifiers. This one has both — a combo that will come in handy for allergy season and as temperatures warm this spring and summer.
$250 OFF + $100 LULULEMON GIFT CARD W/ CODE MOTHERSDAY21
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.
It is just about time to start hanging out outside, thank goodness. This Adirondack chair takes one of the most classic outdoor chair silhouettes and twists it just a bit to make it distinctly DWR, which we love.
When it comes to deciding where to spend your money on clothes, we have two words: elevated basics. This jacket is a classic silhouette but has an attention to detail you won't find anywhere. Plus, it is made in New York.
The Nike Blazer is a sneaker icon. Re-release the Mid '77 version and it has instantly become the best shoe you can wear this spring and summer. It will go with anything and is durable for daily wear.
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