Many listeners find their music streaming experience lacking, often overlooking simple settings adjustments that can significantly enhance audio output. While high-quality speakers or headphones play a major role in how music sounds through Spotify, the app’s internal settings and your device configurations are equally critical. For Premium subscribers, there are several avenues to elevate their listening experience.
The most impactful change involves modifying the audio quality selector, which dictates the data rate Spotify sends to your device. On mobile devices, navigate to Settings and privacy via your profile picture, then select Media Quality. Desktop users should access Edit > Preferences and scroll to the Audio quality section. Unlike desktop, which offers a single selector, mobile allows separate configurations for Wi-Fi and cellular connections. Note that the web player does not support quality adjustments, so the desktop app is necessary for these changes.
All users can choose between Low, Normal, and High settings. Premium subscribers gain access to Very High and Lossless tiers, with bitrates and hourly data usage estimates provided for each. The Automatic setting adapts to connection strength; disabling the Auto-adjust toggle ensures Spotify maintains your selected quality without modification. Additionally, the Download quality section mirrors these options for offline files. If you have previously downloaded tracks and changed quality settings, you must re-download them to match the new standard. For users with ample storage but limited data, downloading at High or Very High quality is a strategic move, especially for enjoying high-quality audio via CarPlay.
Lossless audio delivers CD-quality sound using compression that retains all original information. However, this feature is effectively useless when using Bluetooth devices, as the technology cannot transmit true lossless signals. To experience lossless quality on a phone, wired headphones are required. While phones can technically output lossless audio through built-in speakers, the difference is imperceptible. USB-C earbuds can carry lossless signals, though pairing them with a robust digital-to-analog converter (DAC) yields better results. Wired speakers connected to computers and Wi-Fi-enabled speakers using Spotify Connect also support lossless playback due to higher bandwidth capabilities compared to Bluetooth.
Certain smart devices, such as specific smart TVs, may offer lossless options depending on the model. If the device lacks its own quality selector, play music on it, then use the mobile app to control playback via Spotify Connect. On the Now Playing screen, tap the device name to view current quality settings and adjust them if necessary. Devices like the LG C1 TV and PS5 can stream 16-bit lossless audio through eARC connections to soundbars, though full 24-bit quality may not be supported. Even with lossless-capable hardware, inferior audio equipment, such as inexpensive earbuds or stock car speakers, may prevent listeners from distinguishing between lossy and lossless streams. Environmental noise, such as traffic sounds, further diminishes the ability to appreciate high-fidelity audio.
Beyond basic quality settings, other Spotify options influence sound output. In the Playback > Equalizer menu, users can apply presets or manually adjust frequencies. Care should be taken to avoid stacking multiple equalizer layers from the phone, Spotify, and peripheral hardware. Disabling Volume normalization may also improve perceived audio quality, although some users prefer its consistent volume leveling. Ensure Mono audio remains disabled unless needed for accessibility. Furthermore, adjusting Crossfade settings can prevent abrupt song endings, while turning off Data saver in the Data-saving and offline menu ensures streaming quality is not reduced on cellular connections.
Selecting the appropriate audio quality requires balancing your environment, equipment, and data constraints. Lossless audio is best enjoyed in quiet settings with high-end speakers, whereas lower quality settings are sufficient for Bluetooth earbuds in noisy environments, helping to conserve mobile data. Individual hearing capabilities vary, and online tools like ABX High Fidelity Tests can help determine if a listener can actually discern the difference between high-quality lossy and lossless streams.
Do we really need all this tweaking? My cheap earbuds probably can’t tell the difference anyway.
I never realized I had to re-download tracks after changing settings. That saved me so much confusion!
Finally, someone explained why lossless is a waste on Bluetooth. Time to grab those wired headphones.