Spotify launches Lossless Listening feature for premium users — What is it?

On September 10, Spotify revealed its highly anticipated Lossless Listening feature, designed exclusively for Premium subscribers. This new capability allows users to stream music in a 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC format, which is celebrated for delivering the richest sound experience compared to standard audio formats. Gustav Gyllenhammar, Spotify's VP of Subscriptions, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, "The wait is finally over; we’re so excited that lossless sound is rolling out to Premium subscribers. We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step, so you always know what’s happening under the hood." Lossless audio maintains all original recording details, making it a preferred choice for audiophiles. To enhance user experience, Spotify has integrated customizable settings for different connection types, including Wi-Fi, cellular, and downloads, allowing users to select from various quality levels ranging from low to very high. This feature will be accessible not just on mobile devices but also on desktops and tablets, as well as on multiple compatible devices through Spotify Connect, including brands like Sony, Bose, and Samsung. The rollout has begun in select markets, with notifications sent to Premium subscribers as the feature becomes available. The lossless audio option is expected to reach over 50 markets by the end of October, with early access granted to users in countries such as Australia, Germany, and the US. To activate this feature, users need to navigate to their profile settings within the app and enable lossless audio for their preferred connection type. Spotify advises users for optimal performance to stream lossless audio over Wi-Fi using wired headphones or speakers, as Bluetooth connections may not support the necessary bandwidth for lossless quality. While enabling this feature may lead to larger audio files, Spotify assures that the resulting sound quality will be worth the wait.