More details leaked about Spotify HiFi, lossless audio version that refuses to release

Spotify’s foray into lossless audio has become a saga worthy of a Mexican soap opera. Announced with great fanfare in 2021, Spotify HiFi has promised a significant improvement in quality for the most demanding ears. As of May 2024, there is still no sign of its availability, although recent leaks have reignited the flame of hope.

User Reddit shared screenshots of what appears to be an update to Spotify’s UI with a “HiFi” option (now renamed to “Lossless”). This suggests that this feature may still be in development, albeit with a possible name change..

The leak suggests a significant jump in sound quality. Spotify will have a Lossless option which Allows playback of FLAC files up to 24-bit at 44.1 kHz. The images show five transmission quality options: from 24 kbps (low) to 1411 kbps (lossless). There is also a quality option. up to 2117 kbps, although this will only be available for some songs.

“Download your music losslessly to listen to it in the highest quality when you’re disconnected from the Internet,” Spotify mentions in its user interface dialog box. This option will be compatible with Connect to play music on external speakers with the ability to control it from the app.

Compatible with Spotify Connect will allow lossless streaming to Wi-Fi speakers that support this feature. This would be a big advantage over Bluetooth, which often sacrifices sound quality for faster connection speeds.

The images correspond to the Spotify user interface on the desktop and mobile app. Both suggest that the HiFi live music service’s offer is serious.

Spotify HiFi took forever

Rumors point to a possible “Supremium” level, which It will cost about $20 per month.. This plan bonus could combine HiFi with other benefits, which justifies the higher price compared to Spotify Premium. Whatever the strategy, Spotify must act quickly.

Although the development of the HiFi option remains at the same level, services such as Tidal or Apple Music itself have gone ahead with high precision offers. A few weeks ago, Tidal combined its two plans into one to offer Full Lossless, Hi-Res FLAC and Dolby Atmos (up to 24-bit, 192 kHz)). On the other hand, Qobuz offers studio-quality plans (24-bit FLAC up to 192 kHz) and the ability to buy albums for less than half the price.

It is quite likely that Spotify HiFi will be announced during High End Munich 2024, the most important exhibition in Europe in terms of Hi-Fi. Companies that make speakers, lossless players or headphones meet in Germany to show off their new products. The event would be the perfect place to unveil Spotify’s new lossless audio subscription, although knowing the company, it’s best not to get too excited.