After four years of waiting, Spotify's lossless (HiFi) streaming service may actually, finally, be available.
Recently, a technical blogger found the word "lossless" hidden in the Spotify client code in the third-party tool Spicetify, including:
New "Lossless" sound quality level in settings options
Lossless connection method shown in Spotify Connect
The web player also hints at support for Lossless audio
Although the official has not yet officially launched this feature, combined with multiple reports, Spotify is likely to launch a high-end subscription plan called "Music Pro" in the second half of 2025, which supports lossless music. The monthly fee is expected to be $5.99 more expensive than the current package.
So the question is: What is lossless audio? How can we prepare for Spotify's lossless streaming?
What is "lossless music"? How is the sound quality different from what we have now?
Currently, the "highest sound quality" provided by Spotify is the 320kbps Ogg Vorbis format, which is close to CD sound quality but is still a lossy compression format.
Lossless music means that no audio data is lost when compressing music files. Common formats include:
FLAC(Free Lossless Audio Codec)
ALAC(Apple Lossless)
WAV / AIFF (raw PCM format, larger)
In terms of sound quality, lossless music provides:
Clearer high-frequency details (such as guitar overtones, string breath)
Richer low-frequency layering
More realistic sense of space and sound positioning
Simply put, if you are using high-quality headphones or speakers, you will be able to tell the difference at a glance.
Before Spotify HiFi goes live, here are some things you can do in advance:
1. Check if your headphones support lossless transmission
If you are using Bluetooth headphones, please note:
Bluetooth streaming generally does not support full lossless audio
To experience HiFi, please use headphones that support LDAC or aptX Lossless encoding
Best Practice: Use a wired headset or desktop audio system
Recommended:
Wired HiFi headphones such as Sennheiser HD600, Sony MDR-Z7
Wireless headphones that support LDAC such as Sony WH-1000XM5
2. Make sure the audio playback device supports lossless decoding
Windows: Set the output to "24bit 96kHz" or higher, and turn off system sound processing
macOS: Enable High Resolution Audio support (configurable in Audio MIDI Setup)
iPhone users need to use a wired adapter + Apple original decoder to get a lossless experience
3. Consider whether you need to upgrade your Spotify subscription
Currently, it is rumored that the "Music Pro" package may include:
Lossless sound quality
AI recommendation enhancement
Player customizations (e.g. mixing, equalizer)
Estimated monthly fee: $5.99 more expensive than Premium
How to verify if Spotify has turned on lossless?
Once online, you can:
1. Check whether the "Lossless" option has been added in [Settings] - [Sound Quality]
2. Use tools such as Spicetify to view client version updates
3. Follow Spotify on the official website, community or Reddit for updates
Is it worth turning on Spotify HiFi?
Suitable for the crowd:
Pursuing sound quality (Hi-Fi equipment party, monitoring headphone party)
Like to listen to classical / jazz / live recordings
Love to collect audio details and hope to get a more immersive experience
Already using Spotify ecosystem (playlists, recommendations)
Not recommended for people:
Network traffic is tight or memory is low
Mainly listen to music on Bluetooth devices or ordinary headphones
Usually listen to music casually without pursuing details
FAQ
Q1: Is Spotify's lossless audio quality really "lossless"?
According to existing revelations, it should be a FLAC encoding format of CD level or higher standard, rather than compressed MP3.
Q2: Is it also supported on mobile phones?
If the device supports it, Spotify HiFi is expected to cover iOS, Android and desktop, and even include Web Player and Spotify Connect.
Q3: Do I need special headphones?
It is not necessary, but high-quality headphones/speakers can better hear the difference. It is recommended to use it with a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) for the best experience.
Conclusion
Spotify's lossless HiFi sound quality is really coming! Although it is still in the gray beta stage, judging from the trend of embedded fields in the client, the function is just around the corner. For users who pursue sound quality, this is an important upgrade. It is recommended to keep the app updated and pay attention to the latest news about the launch of the "Music Pro" subscription tier.
Will you upgrade Spotify for lossless sound quality?
