Tidal’s HiFi tier offers lossless audio streaming at CD quality (16-bit/44.1kHz) using the FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format. This means that Tidal HiFi preserves all of the original audio information in the music recording.
Other streaming services, such as Spotify and Apple Music, offer music streaming in lossy formats such as MP3 and AAC. Lossy formats compress the audio file by removing some of the original audio information. This results in a smaller file size, but it can also reduce the sound quality.
How much better Tidal quality is depends on a number of factors, including your audio equipment, your hearing, and your personal preferences.
If you have a high-end audio system and you are an audiophile, you may be able to hear the difference between Tidal HiFi and other streaming services that stream music in lossy formats. However, if you are a casual listener or you do not have a high-end audio system, you may not be able to hear the difference.
In a 2015 study by the Audio Engineering Society, listeners were unable to distinguish between lossless audio and high-quality lossy audio in a double-blind test. However, the study also found that listeners were able to distinguish between lossless audio and low-quality lossy audio.
Another study, published in the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society in 2018, found that listeners were able to distinguish between lossless audio and high-quality lossy audio when listening to music on high-end headphones. However, the study also found that the difference in sound quality was less noticeable when listening to music on low-end headphones.
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether Tidal HiFi is worth it for you is to try it for yourself and see if you can hear the difference. Tidal offers a free trial that allows you to try Tidal HiFi for 30 days.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of Tidal HiFi:
- Make sure that you have a high-end audio system to get the most out of the lossless audio streaming.
- Use headphones or earbuds that can support lossless audio streaming.
- Listen to your favorite songs in Tidal HiFi and compare the sound quality to other streaming services.
- Experiment with different audio settings in Tidal to find the best sound for your ears.
If you are still unsure whether Tidal HiFi is right for you, you can read reviews from other users or talk to other audiophiles.
