With millions of songs spanning various genres, Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming platforms globally. However, it still hasn’t introduced lossless streaming, unlike its main competitor, Apple Music, which has offered this feature since 2021.
That said, with the right settings and optimizations, you can still enjoy a top-notch audio experience on Spotify. Here’s how to maximize your sound quality:
Maximize Spotify’s Audio Quality:
Spotify prioritises efficiency, which means it uses less data than Apple Music. This difference is barely noticeable for most users, unless you’re using high-end headphones or speakers. But with a few simple tweaks, you can significantly improve your listening experience.
Start by going to Settings > Audio Quality and selecting “Very High”. This allows streaming at 320 kbps, which is Spotify’s highest audio quality. Note that this option is only available for Premium users.
Next, enable the “Download in Very High Quality” option. Not only will this enhance the music’s sound quality, but it will also help save data, especially if you frequently listen to the same songs. Lastly, turn off “Data Saver” mode (Settings > Data Saver), as this lowers audio quality to conserve bandwidth. These three simple adjustments can make a noticeable difference in your Spotify experience. Of course, make sure you’re on a stable, high-speed internet connection, as a weak network can affect the quality of your stream.
Customize Your Playback Settings:
Spotify also offers several playback settings that can improve your listening experience. For example, you can enable Crossfade (Settings > Playback > Crossfade), which provides a smoother transition between songs. You can also turn on Gapless Playback, ensuring that tracks flow seamlessly into each other. Additionally, the Normalize Volume feature helps maintain consistent volume levels across songs, avoiding sudden spikes. However, some users report that this setting can make the music sound flatter.
Upgrade Your Audio Gear:
Even with the best settings, your audio output device plays a crucial role in sound quality. To get the most from your Spotify experience, consider investing in high-quality earphones, headphones, or speakers. Look for wired headphones or wireless models with high-quality Bluetooth codecs, such as aptX, LDAC, or AAC.
For audiophiles, investing in in-ear monitors (IEMs) paired with an external Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) can elevate the experience, especially if you’re keen on hearing music as the artists intended.
Until Spotify HiFi becomes available, these optimizations can help you achieve the best audio quality possible. With Spotify’s high-bitrate streaming, combined with the right settings and top-tier audio gear, you can still enjoy an impressive listening experience.
