Whether or not Qobuz sounds better than Tidal is a matter of opinion, but some people believe that it does. There are a few reasons why this might be the case:
- Qobuz uses a different streaming codec than Tidal. Tidal uses a codec called Ogg Vorbis, while Qobuz uses a codec called FLAC. FLAC is a lossless audio codec, which means that it does not compress the audio in any way. This results in higher quality audio than Ogg Vorbis, which is a lossy audio codec.
- Qobuz has a higher bitrate than Tidal. Tidal’s HiFi tier offers streaming at up to 16-bit/44.1kHz, while Qobuz’s HiFi tier offers streaming at up to 24-bit/192kHz. A higher bitrate means that more data is transferred per second, which results in higher quality audio.
- Qobuz has a different mastering process than Tidal. Qobuz masters its audio files using a process that is designed to preserve the original sound quality. Tidal, on the other hand, uses a mastering process that is designed to make its audio sound louder and more punchy. Some people believe that this can result in a loss of sound quality.
However, it is important to note that the difference in sound quality between Tidal and Qobuz is likely to be very subtle, and it may not be noticeable to everyone. Additionally, the sound quality will also depend on your audio system and your hearing.
If you are serious about audio quality, and you have a good audio system, then Qobuz may be the better choice for you. However, if you are on a budget, or if you don’t have a good audio system, then Tidal may be a good option.
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether or not Qobuz sounds better than Tidal is to try both services and see which one you prefer. Both services offer free trials, so you can try them out before you commit to a subscription.
