A new report suggests that Spotify will soon increase its subscription costs in certain countries. Additionally, the company is considering launching a pricier “Music Pro” subscription. This new option will offer high-quality, lossless audio and additional features. People who already find the current $10.99 monthly fee high may find this new price even more expensive.
Spotify’s “Music Pro” will offer lossless audio for a higher fee. Speculation about Spotify providing lossless audio has been around even before Apple Music introduced it in 2021. Although previously discussed as “Spotify HiFi,” this feature never launched. Now, a report from The Verge indicates that Spotify is preparing to launch this new “Music Pro” plan.
Hidden details in the Spotify app reveal features of the upcoming, costlier “Music Pro” plan. The key feature is lossless audio support. Spotify plans to offer FLAC audio files “up to 24-bit/44.1kHz.” For context, Apple Music provides lossless files from 16-bit/44.1 kHz, known as CD Quality, to 24-bit/192 kHz.
Lossless audio is a type of audio file compressed without losing any data, so it sounds just like the original recording. This means the audio is more detailed for the listener. To fully experience lossless audio, it’s advised to use special gear like high-quality wired headphones.
To justify the higher cost, Spotify is adding more features to its new “Music Pro” tier, which includes lossless audio. For example, hidden code hints at a new remix feature that will allow users to “speed up, mash-up, and edit” songs. There’s also mention of a feature to optimize the sound for specific headphones, like Apple’s AirPods.
There’s also proof of more sophisticated AI-driven filters to help search for and build playlists.
Details about the release are still unknown. It’s not clear when Spotify will introduce its new Music Pro tier or its price. Meanwhile, Apple offers hi-fi audio to all Apple Music subscribers at no extra charge. Right now, Apple Music costs $10.99 a month in the US.
What we think?
I think Spotify’s new “Music Pro” plan sounds exciting but might be too pricey for some. Offering lossless audio means songs will sound super clear, almost like the original. The extra features like editing songs and optimizing sound for headphones are cool too.
However, since Apple Music gives high-quality audio without extra cost, Spotify’s higher price could be a big ask for people who care about costs.
