Have you noticed a new “Enhance” toggle while listening to music on Spotify recently? If so, you’re witnessing the rollout of Spotify Enhance, the platform’s new high-quality streaming feature.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Spotify Enhance, including what it is, how it works, its audio quality, compatible devices, pricing, and more. Let’s dive in!
What is Spotify Enhance?
Spotify Enhance is a new feature that provides higher quality audio streaming by using lossless audio compression. This means that while Spotify’s normal streams are compressed to save on data and bandwidth, Spotify Enhance streams use a different encoding method that preserves more of the original source file’s data.
The result is higher fidelity music that captures more details and nuances in the sound. You’ll hear crisp highs, rich lows, and clearer instrumental separation. This allows you to hear music the way the artists and producers intended.
Spotify launched Enhance in February 2023 as an optional upgrade over its existing streaming quality. It’s rolling out globally and is available to both Free and Premium subscribers (with some caveats, as we’ll discuss).
Essentially, Spotify Enhance takes streaming quality to the next level, providing an improved listening experience for audiophiles and music purists.
How Does Spotify Enhance Work?
So how does Spotify Enhance deliver higher quality streaming compared to Spotify’s normal quality? Let’s break it down.
Spotify’s regular streaming uses a compressed audio format called Ogg Vorbis. This uses lossy compression, meaning some data from the original audio file is lost when encoding it. This saves bandwidth and allows for streaming, but it removes some detail and frequency information.
Spotify Enhance uses a lossless audio format instead. The most common format is FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec), which preserves all the data from the original source file. Nothing gets lost or removed.
This means the audio retains its full dynamic range and frequency spectrum. You hear the track as it originally sounded before compression.
To do this, Spotify Enhance streams the audio at a bitrate of roughly 1,411 kbps, compared to Spotify’s “Very High” quality bitrate of 320 kbps. That’s over 4 times more data!
This high bitrate is what allows lossless streaming while maintaining near CD-quality. But it does use significantly more data. Let’s talk about that next.
What is the Audio Quality of Spotify Enhance?
Now let’s get specific about the audio quality you can expect from Spotify Enhance. Here are the key details:
- Bitrate: Approximately 1,411 kbps on average
- Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
- Bit depth: 16-bit
- Audio codec: Primarily FLAC lossless
This equates to near CD-quality audio. CDs use 44.1 kHz 16-bit audio, so Spotify Enhance matches that standard sampling rate and bit depth.
The increased bitrate compared to normal Spotify allows it to maintain this fidelity while streaming. So you get crisp, CD-like quality.
While true audiophile formats like high-resolution lossless can go even higher (think 24-bit/192 kHz), Spotify Enhance still provides a noticeable jump in sound quality compared to regular Spotify streams.
Expect richer detail, subtle textures, spacious imaging, and overall a more immersive and nuanced listening experience.
What Devices are Compatible with Spotify Enhance?
Given the high bitrate, what devices can actually handle Spotify Enhance streaming? Currently, compatibility is limited but growing.
Desktop:
- Windows: Available on the Spotify desktop app for Windows 7 and up
- Mac: Available on the Spotify desktop app for Macs running macOS 10.14 and later
- Linux: Not currently supported
Mobile:
- Android: Available for devices running Android 8.0 and up
- iOS: Available for devices running at least iOS 14.3
Speakers/TVs:
- Spotify Connect speakers: Supported on select speakers. Look for the “HiFi” logo.
- Smart TVs: Available on Samsung Smart TVs (2020 models and newer)
- Gaming consoles: PlayStation 5
So you’ll need a fairly recent device and operating system. Support is still limited on smart speakers and TV platforms, but that could expand over time.
Note that Spotify states you’ll need a premium subscription on mobile to take full advantage of Enhance streaming. Let’s look at that next.
Do You Need Premium to Use Spotify Enhance?
This is where things get a bit complicated. Whether or not you need a Premium account depends on your listening device.
On desktop apps, both Free and Premium users can stream in Enhance quality. So if you listen on a compatible desktop, you don’t need to pay.
However, for mobile listening, you currently need a Premium subscription to stream in Enhance quality. The reason is mobile devices have bandwidth and hardware limitations compared to desktops, especially for streaming high bitrate lossless audio.
Free users on mobile can turn on Enhance, but the audio will still stream at Spotify’s standard compressed quality, not lossless. So you won’t get the full benefit.
That may change in the future as mobile tech improves. For now, Premium is required to take full advantage of Enhance on your phone.
How Much Does Spotify Enhance Cost?
Enhance doesn’t cost anything extra for Premium subscribers! It comes included with all existing Premium plans.
Here’s a breakdown of the pricing:
- Individual Premium: Get Enhance for $9.99/month
- Duo Premium: Get Enhance for $12.99/month
- Family Premium: Up to 6 users get Enhance for $15.99/month
- Student Premium: Students get Enhance for $4.99/month
So you pay the regular Premium rate and automatically unlock the Enhance feature. This makes upgrading a no-brainer for audiophiles on Premium.
For Free users, Enhance is available on desktop at no extra cost. But remember mobile listening requires Premium to stream in Enhance quality.
Overall, Spotify hit the sweet spot by bundling this improved streaming fidelity at no extra charge for Premium subscribers.
Early Reviews of Spotify Enhance
Now that Enhance is making its way to listeners, what’s the early verdict on the audio quality?
Overall, reviews are very positive, with listeners noticing a sizable jump in sound quality. Here are some of the most common notes from early adopters:
- “You can immediately hear the difference vs regular Spotify. So much more detail comes through.”
- “The soundstage feels more expansive and immersive.”
- “Quieter instruments and elements are now more audible in the mix instead of getting lost.”
- “The overall sound is a lot more crisp, clear, and transparent.”
- “Vocals feel like they have more body and texture.”
- “It’s a big upgrade if you have high-quality headphones or speakers.”
Some also compare it favorably to competitors like Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music HD. While not as high-fidelity as true 24-bit lossless, Spotify Enhance holds up very well for most listeners.
If you have a trained ear and high-quality audio equipment, most agree Spotify Enhance is a worthwhile upgrade. However, those with basic earbuds may not get the full benefit.
Spotify Enhance vs Other Lossless Streaming Services
How does Spotify Enhance compare to other lossless music streaming options on the market? Let’s see how it stacks up:
Apple Music:
- Apple Music offers lossless quality up to 24-bit/192 kHz
- Also has spatial audio with Dolby Atmos
- But costs $9.99/month like regular Premium
Amazon Music HD:
- Offers UHD streaming up to 24-bit/192 kHz
- 3D audio formats also supported
- But requires an add-on plan of $9.99/month
Tidal HiFi:
- Streams lossless CD-quality audio
- Also offers hi-res lossless up to 9216 kbps
- Costs $19.99/month, pricier than rivals
Spotify Enhance:
- Near CD-quality at 16-bit/44.1 kHz
- No spatial or 3D audio
- Included free with all Premium plans
So while Spotify Enhance technically offers lower resolution than competitors, it provides an excellent audio upgrade at no extra cost. This makes it a compelling option in the lossless streaming space.
Is Spotify Enhance Worth It?
Should you upgrade to Spotify Enhance? That depends on a few factors:
If you’re an audiophile:
- Enhance noticeably improves audio quality
- Great way to get lossless streaming for free
- Worth upgrading if you have high-end gear
If you have basic earbuds/speakers:
- You may not notice a big difference
- Regular Spotify may still sound fine for casual listening
If you stream mostly on mobile:
- Need Premium to get full quality Enhance
- May want to try it first before upgrading your plan
Overall, Spotify Enhance is an excellent free addition for Premium users looking for improved sound quality. Audiophiles with high-fidelity systems will appreciate the lossless streaming.
However, casual listeners may not get the full benefit, especially on mobile. Try out Enhance yourself to decide if you hear enough of a difference on your setup.
FAQ’s about Spotify Enhance
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Spotify Enhance:
How is Spotify Enhance different from Spotify Premium?
Spotify Enhance is an optional audio upgrade, while Premium unlocks ad-free listening, offline downloads, track skipping, and other perks. You need Premium to use Enhance on mobile.
Can you toggle Enhance on/off?
Yes! You can enable or disable Enhance at any time, even mid-song. Just hit the toggle in the app.
Does Spotify Enhance use more data?
Yes, the lossless streaming uses significantly more data compared to Spotify’s normal quality. Estimate ~145 MB per hour instead of ~40 MB per hour.
Can you download songs in Enhance quality?
Yes, Premium subscribers can download songs for offline listening in lossless Enhance quality. This is great for trips without internet when you want high audio fidelity.
What bitrate does Spotify stream at normally?
Spotify’s normal “Very High” quality streams at 320 kbps. Enhance streams at ~1411 kbps for near CD-quality.
Does Spotify Enhance work on all songs?
No, it depends on the song source. If the original upload is lossy, then Enhance can’t reconstruct the lost data. But it works for most songs mastered in high quality.
Conclusion
That sums up everything you need to know about Spotify Enhance! In short, it provides premium lossless streaming at no extra cost to take your music listening experience to new sonic heights.
Give Enhance a try if you want to hear your favorite tracks as the artists intended. Take advantage of the free high-fidelity upgrade if you have audiophile-level headphones or speakers. Or stick with regular Spotify if you’re happy with the current streaming quality.
Either way, it’s an exciting new feature that demonstrates Spotify’s commitment to improving audio quality as streaming becomes listeners’ primary music format.
What do you think of Spotify Enhance? Are you hearing a noticeable difference in music fidelity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!