The streaming service is locking down the necessary deals to finally launch its Music Pro add-on in 2025. Hopefully.
The Long-Awaited Arrival of Spotify HiFi: A Four-Year Delay
Spotify, one of the world’s leading music streaming platforms, announced its HiFi feature with much fanfare in February 2021. The promise was simple: a superior, lossless audio experience for users willing to pay a premium. However, over four years have passed, and Spotify HiFi has yet to materialize. Recent reports suggest that it will finally launch within a few months as part of a new “Music Pro” package. But what caused such an extensive delay? And how does it compare to rival services like Apple Music and Amazon Music? Let’s explore this prolonged saga in detail.
The Initial Announcement and Unfulfilled Promises
On February 22, 2021, Spotify announced the arrival of HiFi, with an expected rollout by the end of the year. At the time, it was positioned as a major upgrade, bringing high-bitrate, CD-quality audio to Spotify’s vast library. The excitement was palpable, with many assuming that this would give Spotify a competitive edge over other music streaming platforms.
However, as time passed, Spotify HiFi remained conspicuously absent. Meanwhile, Apple Music and Amazon Music swiftly introduced their own lossless audio options—without charging extra. This aggressive strategy from competitors threw a wrench in Spotify’s plans, leaving the company scrambling to reassess its pricing model.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has mentioned a forthcoming “deluxe” tier of Spotify numerous times. Image: Getty Images
The Impact of Competitor Moves
Apple Music and Amazon Music both set a precedent by including lossless streaming at no additional cost. This move put Spotify in a tough spot, as it had planned to charge a premium for HiFi. Facing the possibility of being seen as less consumer-friendly, Spotify went silent on its HiFi plans.
Spotify spokespeople provided no meaningful updates, leading to speculation and frustration among users. Occasional leaks from app code hinted that the feature was being internally tested, but an official release date never came.
Theories Behind the Delay
Several factors contributed to the prolonged delay of Spotify HiFi:
Music Licensing Challenges
According to a Bloomberg report, Spotify lacks the necessary rights from all major music labels to proceed with its intended HiFi offering. Negotiations with these companies have likely been complex and time-consuming.
Reevaluating Value Proposition
Spotify may have realized that high-bitrate music alone wasn’t enough to justify a new premium tier. Many users either can’t discern the difference between standard and lossless audio or lack the high-quality headphones or speakers needed to experience it fully.
Profitability Concerns
As a publicly traded company, Spotify is under pressure to maintain profitability. If lossless audio couldn’t generate significant additional revenue, it may have been deprioritized in favor of more lucrative features.
What’s Next? The “Music Pro” Package
Recent leaks suggest that Spotify HiFi will finally debut as part of a new “Music Pro” subscription tier. This move is likely an effort to make the feature financially viable without offering it as a free upgrade. The exact pricing and features of this package remain unclear, but it is expected to include more than just lossless audio to entice users.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spotify HiFi?
Spotify HiFi is a planned feature that will offer lossless, CD-quality audio streaming, providing better sound quality compared to the standard lossy audio available on Spotify today.
Why has Spotify HiFi been delayed for so long?
The delay is likely due to licensing issues with music labels, competition from other streaming services offering lossless audio for free, and internal concerns about profitability.
Will Spotify HiFi cost extra?
Yes, reports suggest that HiFi will be part of a new “Music Pro” subscription tier, meaning users will need to pay extra to access it.
How does Spotify HiFi compare to Apple Music and Amazon Music?
Apple Music and Amazon Music already offer lossless audio at no additional cost, making them more attractive to audiophiles. Spotify HiFi’s success may depend on additional perks included in the Music Pro package.
Can I hear the difference between standard and HiFi audio?
It depends on your hearing ability, listening environment, and audio equipment. High-quality headphones or speakers are usually needed to notice a significant improvement.
When will Spotify HiFi launch?
While no official date has been announced, reports suggest it will arrive in the coming months as part of the Music Pro package.
Will Spotify HiFi include high-resolution audio?
It is expected to support CD-quality lossless audio, but it’s unclear if it will offer high-resolution audio like some competitors.
Will Spotify HiFi be available on all devices?
The availability of HiFi may depend on device compatibility. Some older hardware might not support lossless streaming.
Why does lossless audio matter?
Lossless audio provides more detail and clarity by preserving the original sound quality of a recording, making it ideal for audiophiles and music enthusiasts.
Will HiFi include spatial or immersive audio features?
Spotify has not confirmed whether its HiFi tier will include spatial audio or Dolby Atmos support, but it may introduce additional features to compete with Apple Music.
Conclusion
Spotify HiFi’s long-awaited launch has been a rollercoaster ride of delays, speculation, and shifting strategies. While initially positioned as a groundbreaking feature, the competitive landscape changed dramatically when Apple Music and Amazon Music introduced lossless streaming at no extra charge. This forced Spotify to rethink its approach, leading to years of silence and internal deliberation.
Now, with the “Music Pro” package on the horizon, Spotify appears ready to finally deliver on its promise. However, its success will depend on the pricing, added features, and whether users see enough value in upgrading. Whether this move will help Spotify stay competitive in the ever-evolving music streaming industry remains to be seen.
