Which audio streaming service offers an Honest Audiophile experience?

Summary

In 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

00:00

🎧 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.

05:01

🎼 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.

10:02

🔄 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.

Keywords

💡Audiophile

An audiophile is an individual who has a keen interest in high-fidelity sound reproduction and seeks the best possible audio experience. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe the audience and the focus of the content, which is to evaluate audio streaming services for their ability to provide an 'audiophile experience.' The script discusses the search for a service that offers the most accurate and high-quality sound, as experienced by the narrator.

💡Audio Streaming Services

Audio streaming services refer to platforms that provide music and audio content over the internet in a streaming format. The script mentions several of these services, including Amazon Music HD, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Spotify, and YouTube Music, comparing their audio quality and user experience to determine which offers the best option for audiophiles.

💡High-Resolution Audio

High-resolution audio refers to audio recordings with a higher sampling rate and bit depth than the standard CD quality, resulting in better sound clarity and detail. The script mentions high-resolution audio in the context of Tidal's MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) releases, which are a type of high-resolution audio file that the narrator does not prioritize but acknowledges as part of the service's offerings.

💡MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)

MQA is a technology that delivers high-resolution audio in a file small enough to stream or download easily. The script discusses the narrator's experience with MQA files on Tidal, noting that while they do not actively seek out MQA files, they will compare them to other formats to determine which sounds most accurate and true.

💡Sound Quality

Sound quality is a measure of how accurately an audio system reproduces sound. The script is centered around the evaluation of sound quality across different streaming services, with the narrator providing personal impressions and scoring each service based on their perceived sound quality, including aspects like clarity, detail retrieval, and tone.

💡Subjective Listening

Subjective listening refers to the personal perception and evaluation of sound quality, which can vary from person to person. The script emphasizes that the narrator's conclusions are based on their own subjective listening experiences, without the use of objective testing or measurements.

💡Sonic Impressions

Sonic impressions are the personal and subjective feelings and thoughts about the sound of a particular audio source. The script details the narrator's sonic impressions of each streaming service, describing the characteristics of the sound such as 'hard-hitting,' 'natural toned,' or 'brighter' to convey their individual experiences.

💡Bitrate

Bitrate refers to the number of bits processed per unit of time in a digital audio file, which affects the audio quality. The script mentions different bitrates in the context of comparing the sound quality of streaming services and downloaded music files, with higher bitrates generally offering better sound quality.

💡Tone and Timbre

Tone and timbre are terms used to describe the quality and character of a sound. In the script, the narrator discusses the tone and timbre of the audio from different streaming services, noting how some services may have 'amazing tone and timbre' or how others might 'lack' in these areas, affecting the overall listening experience.

💡Spatial Sound

Spatial sound refers to the perception of sound coming from all directions, creating a sense of space and depth. The script mentions 'space and depth' as part of the sound quality evaluation, with some services being praised for having 'very good space and depth,' contributing to a more immersive listening experience.

💡Clarity

Clarity in audio refers to the distinctness and intelligibility of sound, allowing for the clear identification of individual elements within a mix. The script discusses clarity as a criterion for evaluating sound quality, with some services being noted to 'struggle with clarity' while others offer 'excellent 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

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don't forget to enjoy the music and that

honesty is the best policy