Whether Tidal’s sound quality is actually better than other streaming services is a matter of opinion. Some people believe that Tidal’s sound quality is superior, while others believe that the difference is negligible or nonexistent.
Tidal offers two audio quality tiers: HiFi and HiFi Plus. HiFi streams music in CD quality (16-bit/44.1kHz), while HiFi Plus streams music in high-resolution (Hi-Res) audio (up to 24-bit/192kHz).
Other streaming services, such as Spotify and Apple Music, also offer CD quality audio. However, Tidal is the only major streaming service that offers Hi-Res audio.
It is important to note that the sound quality of a streaming service not only depends on the audio quality tier, but also on the audio equipment that you are using. If you are listening to music on a cheap pair of earbuds, you may not be able to tell the difference between CD quality audio and Hi-Res audio. However, if you are listening to music on a high-end audio system, you may be able to hear a difference.
Ultimately, whether or not Tidal’s sound quality is actually better is up to you to decide. If you are a critical listener and you have a high-end audio system, you may want to try Tidal’s HiFi Plus tier to see if you can hear a difference. However, if you are a casual listener or you do not have a high-end audio system, you may be just as happy with another streaming service that offers CD quality audio.
Here are some factors that can affect the sound quality of a streaming service:
- Audio quality tier: The higher the audio quality tier, the better the sound quality will be.
- Audio equipment: The audio equipment that you are using will also affect the sound quality. If you are using a high-end audio system, you will be able to hear a difference between different audio quality tiers.
- Internet connection: Your internet connection can also affect the sound quality of a streaming service. If you have a slow or unreliable internet connection, you may experience buffering and other problems that can degrade the sound quality.
If you are concerned about the sound quality of a streaming service, you can try a free trial to see if you are happy with the sound quality before you commit to a subscription.
