What is the BEST MUSIC STREAMING SERVICE?

Summary

In this video, the speaker revisits their earlier analysis of audio quality from various streaming services, focusing on the impact of different codecs on sound fidelity. Using a song they mixed and mastered, they conduct null tests comparing Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Deezer, and YouTube. While Tidal and Apple Music offer lossless audio, Spotify does not, despite its claims. The speaker emphasizes that audio quality is essential but also discusses personal preferences for usability within ecosystems like Apple. The video encourages viewers to conduct their own tests and share their findings.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The video revisits the audio quality of streaming services, indicating that advancements have occurred since the last assessment four years ago.
• 🔊 The host uses a song called 'Thunk Heaven,' which features complex elements, making it ideal for testing audio quality.
• 🧪 To assess audio differences, the host employs a null test in Reaper, which can reveal discrepancies between two audio files.
• 🎧 Spotify's free version and premium version (high quality) yield no audible differences when tested against the original master.
• 🎚️ Tidal's Hi-Fi setting is confirmed to be lossless, maintaining high audio quality, but high sample rates may not make a significant difference in playback.
• 📉 Apple Music's 'high-quality lossless' setting is not truly lossless, as differences are audible compared to the original master.
• 🔍 Deezer offers a lossless setting that performs well in comparison to its other quality options.
• 📊 YouTube is identified as not providing lossless audio, which may impact its suitability for music streaming.
• ⚖️ The host notes that audio quality is just one factor in choosing a streaming service, emphasizing the importance of user experience and integration.
• 💡 The testing methods described in the video are reproducible, encouraging viewers to conduct their own tests and share their findings.

Q & A

What was the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video was to update viewers on the audio quality of various streaming services compared to a high-quality original master.

What audio format was used for the original master in the test?

The original master was delivered in lossless WAV format, specifically 44.1 kHz and 24-bit.

What is a null test, and why is it important in audio comparison?

A null test involves inverting the phase of an audio signal to determine if two files are identical; if they are, they will cancel each other out, resulting in silence. It's important for accurately comparing audio quality without perceptual biases.

How did Spotify's audio quality compare between its free and premium versions?

The video indicated that there was no audible difference between Spotify's free version on high quality and the premium version on very high quality, as they produced absolute cancellation in the null test.

What findings were revealed about Tidal's audio quality?

Tidal's Hi-Fi setting was confirmed to be lossless, but the video suggested some loss of detail in high frequencies compared to the original master.

What was the outcome of testing Apple Music’s lossless feature?

Apple Music's lossless high-quality setting was not truly lossless, as it displayed audible differences in the high frequencies compared to the original master.

Did Deezer's high-fidelity setting pass the null test?

Yes, Deezer's high-fidelity setting passed the null test, indicating that it was indeed lossless for 44.1 kHz files.

What did the speaker conclude about the audio quality of YouTube as a music platform?

YouTube was found to be not lossless, suggesting that its audio quality does not meet the standards of other streaming services tested.

What streaming service did the speaker use most frequently, and why?

The speaker primarily used Apple Music due to its seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem and its availability of high-quality audio.

What future service is Spotify working on regarding audio quality?

Spotify is developing a service called Spotify Hi-Fi, which aims to provide lossless streaming, but as of the video's recording, it was not yet available.