Spotify Launches Lossless Audio Streaming, Offering Higher Quality Sound to Listeners

September 14, 2025

Teh wait is over for audiophiles. Spotify is officially rolling out its long-awaited lossless audio feature to Premium subscribers in a number of countries, marking a notable upgrade in sound quality for the streaming giant’s user base. This move brings Spotify closer to matching the audio fidelity offered by competitors like Apple Music and Tidal.

What Does Lossless Audio Mean for Spotify Users?

The new streaming option delivers audio at up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec), ensuring a more detailed and accurate reproduction of the original recordings. This means listeners will hear music as the artists intended,with a richer soundscape and greater clarity. For years, Spotify has utilized lossy compression, which reduces file sizes but sacrifices some audio facts.This upgrade aims to bridge that gap.

Spotify is recommending that users only activate the lossless quality setting while connected to wifi, given the higher data consumption.Furthermore, the company notes that lossless audio will not function optimally over Bluetooth connections; therefore, wired headphones or Spotify Connect devices are suggested for the best experience.

Were is Lossless Audio Available?

Initially, the lossless audio upgrade is available to Spotify Premium members in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Spotify anticipates expanding availability to additional regions in the coming months.

to access the new feature,users should navigate to Settings & Privacy > Media Quality within the Spotify application.There, they will find a toggle to enable Lossless audio for both WiFi and cellular connections.

understanding Audio quality: A Quick Reference

Here’s a brief comparison of common audio quality standards:

Quality	Bitrate (kbps)	Compression	Typical Use Case
Lossy (Standard Spotify)	96-320	MP3, AAC	General Streaming
Lossless (New spotify Premium)	Around 600-1200	FLAC	Audiophile Listening
Hi-Res Audio	1411+	FLAC, WAV	Critical Listening, Professional audio

Did You Know? The human ear can generally perceive frequencies up to 20 kHz. Lossless audio aims to accurately reproduce these frequencies, resulting in a more immersive listening experience.

Pro Tip: Experiment with different headphones and audio setups to fully appreciate the benefits of lossless audio. The quality difference is most noticeable on high-end equipment.

The Evolution of Music Streaming Quality

The journey from heavily compressed audio formats to lossless streaming represents a significant evolution in how we consume music. Initially, the focus was on reducing file sizes for faster downloads and lower bandwidth usage.However, as internet speeds have increased and storage costs have decreased, the demand for higher fidelity audio has grown.

Over the last decade we have witnessed a major growth in peoples’ desire for improved audio quality.According to a recent report by Statista, the global music streaming market is projected to reach $37.18 billion in 2025, with a significant portion of that growth driven by consumers willing to pay a premium for higher-quality listening experiences. Statista

Frequently Asked Questions About Spotify Lossless Audio

What is lossless audio, and why does it matter?

lossless audio preserves all the original data from a recording, resulting in a more accurate and detailed sound compared to compressed formats. This is important for audiophiles and anyone who wants to hear music as the artist intended.

Do I need new headphones to hear the difference with Spotify’s lossless audio?

While you can hear some advancement with any headphones, the benefits of lossless audio are most noticeable with high-quality wired headphones or speakers.

Will lossless audio use more data?

Yes, lossless audio streams consume significantly more data then standard quality streams. Spotify recommends using it only over a wifi connection to avoid exceeding your data allowance.

Is Spotify HiFi the same as Spotify Lossless?

The previously announced Spotify HiFi is what would bring Hi-Res audio support, while the current rollout is simply Lossless audio at 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC.

What countries currently support Spotify’s lossless audio feature?

Currently, Lossless audio is available in Australia, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Will this new feature change the streaming landscape? What are your thoughts on the value of lossless audio streaming? share your opinions in the comments below!

What is the key difference between lossless and lossy audio compression, and how does this impact the listening experience on Spotify?

What Does Lossless Audio Mean for Spotify Users?

Spotify has finally answered the call from audiophiles and music enthusiasts: lossless audio streaming is now available. This marks a meaningful upgrade in audio quality, moving beyond the previously standard compressed formats. But what exactly is lossless audio, and how does it impact your listening experience?

Lossless audio, like FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) or ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), preserves all the original data from the recording. Unlike lossy formats like MP3 or even Spotify’s previous highest quality setting, no audio information is discarded during compression. This results in a richer,more detailed,and accurate reproduction of the music as the artist intended. For those seeking high-fidelity audio, this is a game-changer.

Spotify hifi: Plans and Availability

While initially announced with a dedicated “Spotify HiFi” tier, the rollout has been integrated directly into existing Premium plans. As of September 14, 2025, all Spotify Premium subscribers have access to lossless audio.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

* subscription Required: Lossless audio is exclusively available to Spotify premium users. Free tier listeners will continue to stream at the standard compressed quality.

* No Additional Cost: There’s no upcharge for accessing the higher quality streams within your existing Premium subscription.

* Regional Rollout: Spotify is rolling out lossless audio globally,but availability may vary slightly depending on your region.

* Data usage: Be mindful that lossless audio streams consume considerably more data than standard quality streams. This is especially important for mobile listening.

How to Enable Lossless Audio on Spotify

Activating lossless audio is straightforward. Spotify has implemented a simple toggle within the app settings:

1. Open the Spotify App: Launch the Spotify application on your mobile device or desktop.
2. Navigate to Settings: Tap your profile picture (or click your profile name on desktop) and select “Settings and privacy.”
3. audio Quality: Scroll down to the “Audio Quality” section.
4. Toggle Lossless: You’ll find a toggle labeled “Lossless audio quality.” Switch this on to begin streaming in lossless.
5. Choose Streaming Preference: Within the “Lossless audio quality” settings, you can choose to stream lossless over Wi-Fi only, or also over mobile data.

Compatible Devices and Spotify Connect

To fully enjoy lossless audio,you’ll need compatible hardware.

* Headphones & Speakers: High-quality headphones or speakers are essential to discern the difference between lossless and compressed audio. Invest in audiophile headphones or a good DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) for the best experience.

* Spotify Connect: A key request from the Spotify community (as highlighted in discussions on the Spotify Community Forums) has been addressed. Lossless streaming is now available directly via Spotify Connect to supported devices, eliminating the need for a computer intermediary.

* Mobile Devices: Most modern smartphones and tablets are capable of playing lossless audio files.

* Desktop: Spotify’s desktop app fully supports lossless streaming.

Benefits of Lossless Audio Streaming

Beyond the obvious advancement in sound quality, lossless audio offers several benefits:

* Enhanced Detail: Hear subtle nuances in recordings that were previously masked by compression.

* Wider Dynamic Range: Experience a greater difference between the quietest and loudest parts of a song,creating a more immersive listening experience.

* More Accurate Soundstage: Instruments and vocals are positioned more precisely in the stereo field.

* Preservation of Artistic Intent: Hear the music as the artist and sound engineer intended it to be heard.

* Future-Proofing: As audio technology continues to evolve, lossless audio ensures your music library remains compatible with future advancements.

Understanding Audio Quality Specifications

Here’s a swift guide to understanding the key specifications:

* Bitrate: Lossless audio typically has a bitrate of 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD quality) or higher. Spotify is offering streams up to 24-bit/48kHz.

* File Formats: Common lossless file formats include FLAC, ALAC, and WAV.Spotify utilizes its own proprietary lossless codec.

* Compression: Lossless compression reduces file size without sacrificing any audio data. Lossy compression, on the other hand, discards data to achieve smaller file sizes.

Maximizing Your Lossless audio Experience: Practical Tips

* Use Wired Headphones: While Bluetooth is convenient, it can introduce compression that negates the benefits of lossless audio.Wired headphones provide a direct connection for the purest sound.

* Invest in a DAC: A dedicated DAC can significantly improve audio quality, especially