Spotify has been teasing a high-fidelity (HiFi) streaming tier for years, leaving audiophiles and casual listeners alike wondering when they’ll finally get to experience lossless audio on the platform. Despite repeated hints and rumors, Spotify HiFi remains elusive, with the latest update from CEO Daniel Ek suggesting it’s still “early days” for the feature.
This delay is particularly frustrating given that competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, and Tidal have offered lossless and even hi-res audio streaming for some time now. So, what’s the holdup, and is Spotify HiFi ever going to launch?
A History of Broken Promises
The saga began in 2021 when Spotify first announced plans for a HiFi tier, promising CD-quality lossless audio to subscribers. However, the launch never materialized, and subsequent years have seen a pattern of teases and delays with no concrete release date in sight.
In 2022 and 2023, Spotify continued to drop hints about HiFi, fueling anticipation but also growing impatience among users. Reports earlier this year suggested a potential 2024 launch with a $5 price increase, but those predictions seem to have been overly optimistic.
During Spotify’s Q2 2024 earnings call, Daniel Ek addressed the elephant in the room, acknowledging the demand for HiFi but stopping short of providing any firm details. His “early days” comment effectively poured cold water on hopes for an imminent release.
The Curious Case of “More Control”
Adding to the intrigue, Ek previously stated that the HiFi tier would offer users “a lot more control.” This vague statement has led to much speculation, as Spotify already provides extensive personalization options, including curated playlists and collaborative features. It remains unclear what additional control HiFi might offer. If you’re looking to learn how to manage your playlists, check out this guide on how to create a playlist on Spotify’s web player.
Interestingly, Spotify has recently introduced features like AI-powered playlists, which were initially rumored to be tied to the HiFi tier. This has further muddied the waters, leaving users to wonder what exclusive perks, if any, HiFi will ultimately provide.
The Price of High Fidelity
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Spotify HiFi is its price. With Spotify’s current Premium plan already costing more than its competitors’ lossless offerings, there’s concern that HiFi could come with a hefty premium.
Current speculation suggests a price point of $17-$18 per month, which would make it significantly more expensive than Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited’s lossless plans. Whether users will be willing to pay such a premium for lossless audio on Spotify remains to be seen.
Is Spotify HiFi Worth the Wait?
For audiophiles seeking the best possible listening experience, Spotify’s delay is undoubtedly disappointing. However, for the average listener, the benefits of lossless audio may be less noticeable. In the meantime, Spotify has been busy expanding its offerings in other ways, like adding music videos to the platform in select countries.
Ultimately, the success of Spotify HiFi will depend on several factors, including its final pricing, the additional features it offers, and whether Spotify can finally deliver on its long-standing promise. Until then, users will have to continue waiting and wondering if and when HiFi will finally arrive.
