Spotify's HiFi tier is still alive as leak spills more of what users can expect

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It seems we're in for another name change.

Spotify on the Pixel 4 XL.
(Image credit: Android Central)

What you need to know

  • A leak in version 1.2.36 of Spotify on the web highlights what the company will display to users.
  • The Lossless audio quality will detail if a user's device is compatible and how much bandwidth it will take up during use.
  • More importantly, the leak suggests that the platform will urge users to use Spotify Connect to fully take advantage of its lossless audio quality.

A new round of leaks shows that Spotify is still working on its HiFi audio tier and highlights what all users could experience once it arrives.

The leak was spotted in version 1.2.36 of Spotify on desktop by OhItsTom on Reddit (via Android Authority). Details in the build show that Spotify plans to show whether a user's device is compatible or not with its lossless HiFi audio. The initial pane states that users can listen to their music in the "highest quality" (lossless) offline so long as they've set their download settings to reflect it.

Additionally, another blurb states Spotify Connect will be the "best way" for users to enjoy their lossless audio. The company's early UI adds that "most devices (Bluetooth) can play music quality better than Very High" but such devices may not support lossless audio.

The leak continues with a quick look at Spotify's streaming quality addition of lossless audio. It suggests the company's HiFi audio will consume "up to" 1,411kbps when in use.

v1.2.36 - New Hi-fi Leak from r/truespotify

A Redditor unearthed several screenshots showing how Spotify will likely highlight its lossless audio feature's arrival on mobile. The early screenshots suggest users can stream up to 24-bit wirelessly through Spotify Connect.

The post adds that Spotify seems to have swapped how it identifies the upgraded audio internally. It was discovered that the company now titles it "Enhanced Listening" instead of "HiFi," potentially signaling a branding shift.

We've been waiting on Spotfy's HiFi tier with lossless audio for a while now, and a leak from September showed what was planned subscription-wise. That previous leak showed Spotify's supposed plans for 24-bit Lossless music and the ability for users to create playlists using AI. The new plan may also deliver 30 hours of audiobook listening per month alongside some advanced mixing tools.

Spotify has continuously changed its name for this new tier, going from "Supremium" to 24-bit Lossless music and, now, "Enhanced Listening." It's still unclear when the platform plans to roll this out, but it looks like it's here to stay.

Nickolas Diaz
Nickolas Diaz
News Writer

Nickolas is always excited about tech and getting his hands on it. Writing for him can vary from delivering the latest tech story to scribbling in his journal. When Nickolas isn't hitting a story, he's often grinding away at a game or chilling with a book in his hand.

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • bradavon
    It's all rather late. Thse interested in CD Quality Lossless already have a wealth of choice,

    1,411kbps is precisely the bitrate of Lossless 16-Bit / 44Khz or better known as CD Quality Lossless as we already knew. This suggests it won't be 24-Bit audio as some reports have suggested.

    Details in the build show that Spotify plans to show whether a user's device is compatible or not with its lossless HiFi audio.
    Which is all rather strange when all devices are compatible with Spotifty Connect AFAIK. Spotify don't block Spotify Connct on lower tier deivces.

    Unlss I'm mistaken, there's no such thing as an incompatible device. The chepest $100 Android device will be able to play Spotify's Lossless audio provided it's on the same Wifi network as the Spotify Connect enabled speakwer.

    It's not the device that makes all this work but the wireless technology being used.

    It's obvious Spotify Connect is going to be needed, like Tidal Connect is needed for Lossless on Tiday. For all intents and purpose bluetooth is Lossy.

    This has been the problem for the longest time with customers wanting higher quality audio but expecting to get this over bluetooth and just assuming their bluetooth speaker is capable of more than Lossy audio. Bluetooth just isn't designed for Lossless audio today.

    The company's early UI adds that "most devices (Bluetooth) can play music quality better than Very High" but such devices may not support lossless audio.
    Not by much they can't. In the main Bluetooth is still all Lossy and only a handful of earbuds can support CD Quality Lossless over Bluetooth.

    Spotify's "Very High" is also 16-Bit / 44Khz but it's Lossy at a bitrate of 320Kbps. Which is the max Spotify currently offers.

    This suggests Spotify is also considering a new Higher quality Lossy audio level. Higher than their "Very High" but lower than their Lossless tier.

    None of which interests me as Spotify still isn't offering more than CD Quality in their Lossless tier. Tidal, Amazon, Apple all also offer High Res too.

    It would be a shame if Spotify went down the "it may work" route to suggest users are getting something in reality most aren't. It's not a lie but is intentionally being loose with the truth.

    Qobuz's support articles say you maybe able to get High Res using Chromecast even though they've admitted to lock their High Res streams over Chromecast to 24-Bit / 96Khz because that's the maximum it can support. You won't be getting Qobuz's 24 / 192 tracks at that level, but Qobuz's wording is intentionally vague in this regard.
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