Which audio streaming service offers an Honest Audiophile experience?
Summary
TLDRIn this audio comparison, the host evaluates various streaming services like Amazon Music HD, Apple Music, Deezer, Kobas, Spotify, and YouTube Music. After extensive listening, Tidal is rated the best for sound quality, but the host decides to switch to Amazon HD for its cost-effectiveness and similarity in sound, using streaming services primarily for portable use.
Takeaways
- 🎧 The speaker has been using Tidal for four years due to its sound accuracy and truthfulness.
- 🔊 Tidal's ability to listen to MQA releases was not a deciding factor for the speaker, as they rarely seek out MQA files.
- 🎵 The speaker subscribed to Amazon Music HD, Apple Music, Deezer, Kobas, Spotify, and YouTube Music to compare them with Tidal.
- 📊 The comparison was subjective, based solely on the speaker's ears and listening experience, without objective testing or measurements.
- 🎵 Amazon Music HD was described as hard-hitting and accurate, scoring a 9 out of 10.
- 🎶 Apple Music was noted for pushing upper mids and lower treble forward, scoring an 8 out of 10.
- 🎵 Deezer was found lacking in technical areas but had a smooth presentation, scoring a 6.5 out of 10.
- 🎶 Kobas was praised for its bright, lean sound and good spacing, scoring an 8.5 out of 10.
- 🎵 Spotify was considered basic with okay details and resolution, scoring a 7 out of 10.
- 🏆 Tidal was rated a perfect 10 out of 10 for its natural, accurate tone and timbre, and excellent clarity.
- 📉 YouTube Music was described as full and warm but lacking in clarity, scoring a 6 out of 10.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video script?
-The main topic of the video script is comparing various audio streaming services to determine which offers the most honest audiophile experience.
Which audio streaming services are mentioned in the script?
-The audio streaming services mentioned in the script are Amazon Music HD, Apple Music, Deezer, Kobas (possibly a typo for Qobuz), Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube Music.
What is the author's primary criterion for choosing an audio streaming service?
-The author's primary criterion for choosing an audio streaming service is the sound quality, specifically how accurate and true it sounds to their ears.
What does the author claim about their experience with Tidal?
-The author claims that Tidal has been their preferred service for four years due to its sound quality, which they find to be the most accurate and true.
What is the author's stance on MQA files?
-The author does not prioritize MQA files; they listen to them if available but do not actively seek them out, focusing more on the overall sound accuracy and truthfulness.
What method did the author use to compare the streaming services?
-The author used a subjective listening test over 30 days with their reference gear, comparing the streaming services based on their ears without any objective testing or measurements.
What was the author's conclusion about Tidal after comparing it with other services?
-After comparing Tidal with other services, the author still found it to have the best overall sound quality, scoring it a 10 out of 10.
What score did the author give to Amazon Music HD and why?
-The author gave Amazon Music HD a score of 9 out of 10 because it has a similar sound to Tidal but is not quite on the same level.
What did the author decide to do after the comparison test?
-The author decided to switch from Tidal to Amazon Music HD for its similar sound quality and lower cost, using streaming services only for portable use and personal time.
What advice does the author give to the audience regarding audio streaming services?
-The author advises the audience to trust their ears and use the gear and streaming service that sounds best to them with their music.
Outlines
🎧 Audio Streaming Services Comparison
The script begins with an introduction to the world of audio streaming services, highlighting the convenience and accessibility they offer to audiophiles. The narrator, Dave, shares his personal experience with Tidal, having used it for four years due to its sound quality. He explains that his preference is based solely on the auditory experience, not on additional features or interfaces. Dave then describes his process of subscribing to and comparing other services like Amazon Music HD, Apple Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify, and YouTube Music. He emphasizes that his testing was subjective, based on his ears and equipment, without any objective measurements or ABX tests.
🎼 Subjective Evaluation of Streaming Services
In this paragraph, Dave provides his personal sonic impressions of each streaming service. Amazon Music HD is described as hard-hitting and accurate, with good detail retrieval and space, scoring a 9 out of 10. Apple Music is noted for pushing upper mids and lower treble forward, with excellent tone but slightly lacking in detail, scoring an 8. Deezer is criticized for its lack of technical prowess but praised for its smooth presentation, receiving a 6.5. Qobuz is recognized for its analytical sound and good detail, scoring an 8.5. Spotify is seen as basic, with okay detail but a leaner note weight, scoring a 7. Finally, Tidal is rated a perfect 10, praised for its natural, accurate sound, and excellent clarity. YouTube Music is described as lush and warm but lacking in clarity, receiving a 6.
🔄 Shifting Preferences and Conclusions
Dave concludes by reiterating the scores he assigned to each service and revealing his decision to switch from Tidal to Amazon HD for its similar sound quality and lower cost. He explains that he will use downloaded music or CDs for reviews and streaming services only for portable use or personal time. The narrator emphasizes the importance of trusting one's ears and using the gear that sounds best with one's music. He reflects on the learning experience and invites viewers to subscribe, engage with the content, and support the channel.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Audiophile
💡Audio Streaming Services
💡High-Resolution Audio
💡MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
💡Sound Quality
💡Subjective Listening
💡Sonic Impressions
💡Bitrate
💡Tone and Timbre
💡Spatial Sound
💡Clarity
Highlights
Dave has been using Tidal for four years due to its sound accuracy and fidelity.
Tidal's ability to listen to MQA releases was not a deciding factor for Dave.
Dave compared Tidal with Amazon Music HD, Apple Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify, and YouTube Music.
The comparison was based on a subjective listening experience without objective testing.
Dave used his OnePlus 9 Pro, various dongles, PC, and Chromebook for the test.
Audovanna's Studio was utilized for comparison with downloaded music.
Dave spent 30 days evaluating the streaming services' sound quality.
Amazon Music HD was scored 9/10 for its hard-hitting and accurate sound.
Apple Music scored 8/10, pushing upper mids and lower treble forward.
Deezer received a 6.5/10 score for its smooth presentation but lack of detail.
Qobuz scored 8.5/10, excelling in detail retrieval and resolution with a bright sound signature.
Spotify was given a 7/10 for being basic but lacking in sound quality compared to others.
Tidal received a perfect 10/10 score for its natural, accurate, and impactful sound.
YouTube Music scored 6/10, offering a lush and warm sound but lacking clarity.
Dave concluded that Tidal is the best sounding service but will switch to Amazon HD for its cost-effectiveness.
Dave will use downloaded music or CDs for reviews, reserving streaming services for portable use.
The moral of the story is to trust your ears and use the gear that sounds best to you.
Transcripts
hi folks Dave the honest audio file
which audio streaming service offers an
honest audiophile experience
there are plenty of options for audio
streaming these days you have Amazon
Apple Deezer kobas Spotify title YouTube
music and several others
when you want music it's right at your
fingertips
it's ready to bless your ears with sweet
audio Bliss just like that
whether you're cooking you're chilling
out you're exercising you're working or
any other activity
because of these streaming services
music is available
audio streaming services have added the
convenience factor to the audiophile
experience audio streaming services have
also brought high-res music files to the
portable use
away from home audiophile experiences
but the question remains which streaming
service offers an honest audiophile
experience
so to be clear
I've used title for four years
I have tried the other streaming
services at various points during those
four years but I've never done a
comparison and deep dive
versus dealers
I've used title the last four years
because of one reason and that's because
to my ears it sounds the most accurate
and true
I don't
look at all the extra features that
title offers or the user interface that
plays no part into my decision to use
title
it's solely based on because it sounds
the best to my ears
the ability to listen to mqa releases on
title didn't play A Part either in fact
I rarely listen to mqa files
I don't go out seeking mqa files
if one's available I'm sure I'll listen
to it and compare it to other tracks and
other files of the same tracks
see which one sounds accurate and true
and use that one whether it be the mqa
file or some other bitrate
the sole reason I have used title for so
long is it sounds the best to my ears
with my gear and with my music when
compared to the limited sessions with
the other streaming services
so I decided to put my uh preference of
title up against the other streaming
services
I went and subscribed to these services
Amazon music HD
Apple music Deezer coba's Spotify and
YouTube music
and I proceeded to put them through the
paces
comparing them to each in in each each
other between them and also title
this is going to be a very subjective
take on streaming services
let me say that again this is going to
be a very subjective take on the
streaming services
I did no objective testing I took no
measurements
no graphs
I mean I did no ABX tests no blindfolds
were used
no switcher boxes were used
the only thing that was used was
my OnePlus 9 Pro
with various dongles along with my PC
and my Chromebook
I did not use USB audio player or uapp
or hippie music I use them straight out
of the apps
I did use audovanna's Studio
that way I could compare them to
downloaded music that I have on my PC
I also use my reference gear that I so
that I could get the
best opportunity for the streaming
services to provide their best
performances
the only judge in the test
were my ears
I spent 30 days
listening to music
taking advantage of every chance that I
had and listened and compared James gear
listened and compared did long sessions
on ever on my depths on my dongles and
on the PC and straight out of my
Chromebook
and these are my conclusions
so first let's talk about my Sonic
impressions of each streaming service
and and then I will conclude with some
concluding thoughts
Amazon music
uh it's a very hard-hitting very
accurate Note weight has natural toned
above average detail retrieval
resolution has very good space and depth
and very few and random times it can
struggle with Clarity I find that Amazon
music HD has a similar sound to title
but it's not quite on the same level
I score Amazon HD as a 9 out of 10.
Apple music I find that Apple music
pushes the upper mids and the lower
treble forward slightly and they kind of
come to the Forefront and that Apple
music lags slightly behind and details
retrieval and resolution but it has
excellent tone and timbre the
Apple music reminds me of listening to
music on a Sennheiser HD 600 all the
time
in the in that it pushes those upper
mids and lower treble regions is just a
little bit too far forward
but has amazing tone and Timbre
Apple music is a very good sounding
service but it's not on the same level
as title and Amazon HD I I score it as
an 8 out of 10.
Deezer
I find that easier lacks in technical
areas but it has a very smooth pleasing
presentation
adequate tone and Timbre and it's not
the most detailed and resolving and it
also has a leaner thinner Note weight
Deezer is an okay sounding service but
it's no competition the title Amazon or
Apple
or cobus
I ranked these are at 6.5 out of 10.
kobas
kobus has a brighter leaner sound
signature that excels in details
retrieval and resolution and it has very
good spacing
but it misses ever so slightly on
naturalism and I find that these are
excuse me not these are kobas I find
that cobuzz
has a a very good sound to it and it's a
very analytical sound
but it's a different flavor from tidal
Amazon HD
and Apple
I score cobus as a 8.5 out of 10.
Spotify a Spotify Spotify will give you
all the basics
to keep you happy and
unfortunately it just isn't in the same
league as a lot of the other streaming
services
Spotify is a clear step behind
when it comes to the quality of sound uh
has
okay details and resolution but it has a
leaner and thinner Note weight
it's a brighter and some more sparkly
and energetic
Spotify reminds me of a lower quality
version of cobus
Spotify give a score of 7 out of 10.
title well titles are 10 for 10.
to me title has the best overall sound
it is the best sounding of the services
as the most natural accurate tone and
Timbre it's the hardest hitting with the
biggest impacts has an accurate stage
and a very good space
in-depth excellent clarity
it reproduces accurately from the
original CDs I was able to compare it
with CDs and downloaded music and it was
often very close
or similar
title has impeccable detail retrieval
and resolution
as I said title is a 10 out of 10.
and then we have YouTube music
now YouTube music has a full Lush warm
very pleasing presentation and it has
adequate details and resolution but it
is lacking and it often lacks in clarity
YouTube music is a mixed bag of Music uh
listening in a streaming form for me uh
YouTube music is a map performer when
compared to the competition
I rank YouTube music as a 6 out of 10.
so let me give you those scores again
real quickly
Amazon music HD 9 out of 10. apple music
is a 8 out of 10. Deezer is a six and a
half out of ten cobus is a eight and a
half out of ten Spotify is a 7 out of
ten
title is a 10 out of 10. and YouTube
music is a 6 out of 10.
so what's the answer here which
streaming service offers an honest
audiophile experience
and after doing all this listening and
comparing
I like all the services
some better than others but title still
stood on top of the pile for me
with all that said could I definitely
say that I'd be able to hear the
differences definitively with 100
accuracy I'd be able to name them off
and say that one is this one and that
one is that
and would I be able to do that in some
sort of controlled blind test
absolutely not
I'm gonna be honest with you I would be
very hit and miss on choosing to correct
Services each and every time
but I have a preference and for what I
believe sounds the best to my ears on my
gear and with my music and that honor
goes to title
but guess what
I'm leaving title behind
I'm going to swap to Amazon HD
and
downloaded music
I've only be using a streaming service
when using a portable device in a review
or on personal time
from now on all reviews will be done
with downloaded music or CDs
at the desktop and on dapps
I will use Amazon HD streaming service
when testing with adapt
and only strictly when using my phone
and a dongle because I don't have
downloaded music on my phone but I do
have downloaded music on the dapps and
on my desktop so when using those
the desktop definitely will be only
downloaded music
dapps will be mostly downloaded music
and some streaming and then phones have
to be streaming
why am I swapping from title to Amazon
HD
it's plain and simple it's a very
similar sound as described earlier and
it's cheaper
I have a huge library of CDs I have a
very large downloaded music files and
also converted over CDs
that have compiled over the years and I
still add to it consistently
I have files of various bit rates of
some of the same tracks so I can compare
them I have anything from MP3 Flac DSD
and a few mqa downloaded files
personally
I think that downloaded music sounds the
best overall even beating out title
so after four years of using title it
only took me 30 days of testing and
comparing against six competitors to
change my mind
that
I should only be using streaming
services and portable use and on
personal time
and that CDs and downloaded music are
the best option for reviewing gear
so folks the moral of the story is trust
your ears and use the gear that sounds
the best to you with your music
this has been an interesting experience
for me and I'm glad I did it I've
learned a lot
and I
have come to different conclusions than
when I started it I thought I would
hope you find this video to be helpful
and insightful
thank you for watching and I'll catch
you on the next video speaking of next
video somewhere on screen subscription
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already please check those off don't
forget to give a thumbs up or a thumbs
down to the video and also check out the
links down below there's all kinds of
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support the Channel all that kind of
stuff is listed down below
don't forget to enjoy the music and that
honesty is the best policy
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