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Okay, let's start by defining some terms. I'm going to use the term Lossless if the song is bit-for-bit the same as a Compact Disc. This is a digital audio file with a sample rate of 16 bit and 44.1 kHz. The same standard that has been widely available since the mid-80s. I'm going to use the term High Resolution for Lossless audio that exceeds CD specifications while remaining bit-for-bit the same as the original master recording.
The bit depth directly relates to the dynamic range. This can potentially benefit dynamic recordings, such as classical and traditional jazz, by minimizing distortion of the softer end of the dynamics.
Okay, my first and favorite one to make fun of is Tidal. Tidal offers CD-quality lossless audio with their HiFi layer. HiFi should not be confused with Hi Resolution, an important distinction to make with these buzzwords. This HiFi level costs 9.99 per month
Where things get entertaining is when it comes to their “High Resolution” level, HiFi Plus. This level is an absolute joke. They use a licensed proprietary format called MQA. This “High Resolution” is actually lossy, meaning it is not bit-for-bit the same as the master recording. And to make matters worse, you actually have to spend money on specific external hardware to actually decode their high-resolution “lossy” fake music. This level of their service will cost you 19.99 per month.
I'm sure in the comments section here you can find some idiots drinking the MQA kool-aid and making the most ignorant comments, so feel free to make fun of them in the comments section. These people are so unhinged that one of these idiots called me a racist in response for making fun of an audio format.
And now on to Spotify. Good news! Spotify has announced that their Lossless audio will start in 2021! (Crickets). No, you didn't click on an old video. We're still waiting. But instead of focusing on their Lossless audio streaming, they have wisely jumped into the world of NFTs!
Next up is Apple Music. What I like about them is that they actually use accurate terminology and don't rely on buzzwords to mislead consumers. They offer both lossless and high-resolution music to consumers. The cost for the service is 9.99 per month and that also includes lossless and high-resolution music.
Another service that offers CD-quality Lossless audio is Deezer. If your inner 12-year-old can't giggle at the name anymore, you'll find truly lossless audio levels with their service. However, they currently do not offer high-resolution music. They call their lossless audio level Hi Fi and it costs 14.99 per month.
Amazon Music Unlimited is another service that offers both lossless and high-resolution music. It refers to their CD-quality lossless audio as Hi Definition. This is a bit of a misnomer, as it is the same resolution at which people listened to music in the 1980s. They call their high resolution format Ultra High Definition, I think this leads people to equate that with video quality. Anyway, the cost for their streaming music is 9.99 per month.
Another quality choice for high-resolution lossless music is Qobuz. Qobuz is a French company that has been offering lossless, high-resolution music for much longer than anyone else. In addition to streaming in high resolution and lossless, they offer many of their songs for sale. The service is very reasonably priced: 12.99 per month. Although their focus has traditionally been on classical music, they currently offer a huge catalog for all genres.
And finally we have YouTube Music. Yes, they do not offer lossless or high resolution. And they haven't announced either, so I wouldn't hold your breath, but the service is what it is.
So which service do I recommend? For instant high-resolution lossless audio, I would recommend Amazon Music Unlimited or Apple Music. Your preference may be based on which company you hate the least. However, Apple Music has more exclusive music than Amazon Music Unlimited.
If you are really into classical music, or if you additionally want to buy high-resolution music tracks, I would highly recommend Qobuz for just 3 extra tracks.
I wouldn't recommend Deezer to anyone unless you're happy to spend more money on a worse product.
One last thing I'll mention. All of these streaming services offer family plans for multiple users in the same family for about 50% more.
Written, produced and edited by Lorne Bregitzer and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Denver in the College of Arts & Media's Department of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies.
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