Sound Wars: 5 Ways We Tested Qobuz to Other Music Streaming Services
Qobuz: The Hidden Gem of Hi-Res Music Streaming
In today's digital age, it's rare to find someone who doesn't consume music digitally. People listen to their favorite tunes on smartphones, laptops, tablets, HiFi Music Players, and Music Streamers, making digital media consumption the norm. While Apple Music and Spotify may be the most popular choices for consumers, those seeking a superior hi-res music streaming experience should look no further than Qobuz.
We put Qobuz to the test against nine popular music streaming services, judging each of them on audio quality, cost, catalog size, device support, and offline playback. While there were plenty of runner-ups, Qobuz is a hidden gem that caters to discerning audiophiles and music enthusiasts who prioritize audio quality above all else. With a library of over 100 million tracks in lossless CD quality, Qobuz offers an unparalleled selection of music across various genres. It's truly the perfect music streaming platform for someone who loves to discover new artists and untapped subgenres. Qobuz is committed to providing a significant portion of its library in studio master quality (24-bit/192 kHz) — Over 250,000 Hi-Res tracks to be exact. Their extensive music library is just one of the many things that make Qobuz the top music streaming platform, so let's explore deeper and compare it to some heavy-hitting HiFi competitors.
Why Choose Qobuz
In the world of high-resolution music streaming, Qobuz has secured its position as a top player, competing with the likes of TIDAL, Deezer, and Amazon Music Unlimited. Qobuz offers a personalized user experience with a wealth of curated content beyond music. Dive into artist interviews and HiFi product reviews in Qobuz's Magazine or thumb through a collection of curated playlists that suit your current mood. If you're on the hunt for your next new music obsession, Qobuz's extensive album and artist recommendations will keep you engaged and satisfied. And if you’re an audiophile looking for a community beyond Head-Fi, the exclusive Qobuz Club provides a place to connect with like-minded individuals from across the world. Hi-res sound is just the tip of the iceberg — Here are the features that make Qobuz the superior hi-res streaming choice.
Qobuz Monthly Subscriptions
Studio Solo: Starting at $10.83/month for one account
Studio Duo: $14.99/month with two accounts on one subscription
Studio Family: $17.99/month with up to six accounts under one subscription. For less than the price of two subscriptions you get unlimited music streaming for the entire family
Sublime Solo: Starting at $14.99/month for one account
Sublime Duo: $14.99/month with two accounts on one subscription
Studio Family: $17.99/month with up to six accounts under one subscription. For less than the price of two subscriptions you get unlimited music streaming for the entire family
Sound Quality
Qobuz boasts an incredibly large digital music catalog with over 100 million tracks in lossless CD quality (FLAC 16-bit/44.1kHz) and over 250,000 Hi-Res tracks (24-bit/192kHz). It's hard to beat the clarity, dynamic range, and definition you hear from a Qobuz track and the platform is constantly adding to its vast music catalog as new artists emerge and songs are released.
Q: Can I import my favorite tracks and playlist from another platform?
A: Yes, as a Qobuz subscriber, you can import their favorite songs and playlists from other platforms with the Soundiiz tool.
When I made the switch from Napster to Qobuz I was concerned about losing the hundreds of tracks I saved and custom playlists I created over the years. With the help of Soundiiz I was able to successfully transfer my tracks and playlists with minimal issues. There were a few tracks that were not in Qobuz's catalog so they couldn't be transferred.
Q: Can you buy music downloads on Qobuz?
A: Yes, Qobuz tracks are available for purchase through the download store.
When you buy music on Qobuz you get to choose the file format that works best for you, and when you're ready to cancel your subscription and move on from Qobuz, your purchased media goes with you! This is a great option for audio professionals who want to use samples or elements from purchased tracks in their work. Owning the music files can provide more flexibility and legal clarity compared to using streamed music.
Q: Can I listen to music offline with Qobuz?
A: Yes! Users can easily download their favorite tracks and listen at any time, without having to worry about a stable connection.
One of the key advantages of Qobuz's offline listening feature is that it preserves the original audio quality of the downloaded files. You get to choose the file format you wish to download, whether that's a lower quality to save space on your device or high-resolution for ultimate playback.
Personalized User Experience
Qobuz offers a personalized user experience that caters to the unique tastes and preferences of each subscriber. Using advanced algorithms and user data, Qobuz is able to provide tailored recommendations, playlists, and content that evolves with your listening habits.
One of the key features of Qobuz's personalized experience is its 'My Weekly Q' playlist. Every Friday, Qobuz generates a custom-curated selection of tracks based on your favorite genres, artists, and recent listening history. My Weekly Q introduces you to new music that aligns with your tastes, helping you discover hidden gems and expand your musical horizons. Every employee at Moon Audio has a subscription to Qobuz and personally speaking, My Weekly Q has introduced me to so many new artists as well as resurfacing songs I've heard before, loved, but forgotten.
In addition to personalized playlists, Qobuz offers a large collection of curated playlists that you can filter by format, genre, mood, activity, artist, and much more. Whether you're hosting a dinner party and want to set the mood with the perfect Italian-inspired playlist or simply relaxing at home on a rainy day, Qobuz has a curated playlist to suit your needs. One notable playlist category on Qobuz is 'Listening With,' which features playlists curated by well-known artists, producers, and music industry figures. These playlists offer a unique glimpse into the creator's mind, allowing listeners to gain insights into their musical tastes and influences. Not only are you listening to their favorite songs but you also get to read a personal anecdote about the playlist — Be it what songs inspired them, when they listen to these tracks, and so on. It's not often that you get to hear the 'method behind the madness.'
As a Qobuz subscriber, you can create playlists and share them publicly with other Qobuz users as well. We've created a company Qobuz playlist titled 'Moon Audio: Company Favorites 2023,' that's available for all Qobuz subscribers to enjoy.
You can access Qobuz through the browser web player, as well as download the Qobuz app for desktop, mobile, and tablet. Upon launching Qobuz, users will be prompted to the 'Discover' dashboard, which serves as the platform's homepage. There, you will find new releases (handpicked by Qobuz), Qobuz Playlists, Top Albums, Albums of the Week, Trending, Qobuz Essential Discography, and Qobuzissime — An award presented by Qobuz for the release of a first or second album. The selections on the Discover page are constantly changing so you can continue to explore new songs, artists, and albums.
Qobuz Club
A unique perk to subscribers is Qobuz Club, an exclusive community for audiophiles and music lovers. Think of Qobuz Club as Facebook or Reddit for users where they can share opinions and discuss HiFi and music topics in one place. The platform is made up of 'spaces' that users can join, create posts in, comment on others, and share personal playlists. As a member of Qobuz Club, you have access to exclusive events, such as intimate live performances, listening parties, and virtual meet-and-greets with artists. You'll also receive discounts on high-end audio equipment and vinyl records. Qobuz Club bridges the gap between Qobuz experts and users, making it a place where you can participate in discussions with like-minded individuals who all bond over their shared love of music.
Curated Editorial Content
In addition to personalized user content, Qobuz offers a wealth of editorial content curated by Qobuz experts. Coined 'Qobuz Magazine', subscribers can access in-depth articles, interviews, reviews, videos, and much more. These pieces are written by experienced music journalists and industry professionals, providing insights into the history, context, and significance of various artists, albums, and genres.
Within the 'News' section of Qobuz Magazine, you can find articles on the album of the week, artists to watch, annotated listening sessions, and Qobuzissime awards. The 'Videos' section provides a more immersive experience where users can watch in-depth interviews with artists and music creators. Interactive long-form articles called 'Panoramas' serve as comprehensive guides to specific artists, musical genres, periods, or styles. Within a panorama article, readers can find videos, mini-documentaries, and handpicked lists of songs that demonstrate the styles and forms laid out in the article. Lastly, Qobuz Magazine's 'Hi-Fi' section houses all things HiFi product-related. You can find articles on the best audio products of the year, how-to guides, and expert-tested product reviews. Obviously, we're partial to our blogs and in-depth product reviews, but nevertheless, it's a neat feature that you wouldn't traditionally see on a music streaming service.
Qobuz's curated content provides subscribers with a rich, informative, and engaging music experience that goes beyond the tracks and norm of most hi-res streaming services.
Qobuz vs. Popular Music Streaming Services
So how does Qobuz stack up against the competition? We've reviewed and analyzed some of the top HiFi streaming services currently on the market, judging them based on these five parameters:
- Audio Quality: Supported file formats
- Cost: Subscription plans
- Catalog: Number of tracks, genres, and exclusive content offered
- Device Support: Compatibility with various audio systems and devices
- Offline playback: Ability to download music for offline listening
While Qobuz is our choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts, ultimately the best music streaming service for you will depend on your individual priorities, budget, and listening preferences.
BRAND
Audio Quality
Cost
Catalog
Device Support
Offline Playback
Hi-Res (24-bit/192kHz) or (24-bit/96kHz)
Lossless FLAC (16-bit/44.1kHz)
MP3 (320kbps)
Qobuz Studio: $10.83/month (available in Solo, Duo, Family plans)
Qobuz Sublime: $14.99/month (available in Solo, Duo, Family plans)
Qobuz Family: $17.99/month with up to 6 accounts
Over 250,000 Hi-Res albums across every genre
Over 100 million tracks in Lossless CD quality
Compatible with Windows, macOS desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Smart TVs; Chromecast; Apple CarPlay; Android Auto
Astell&Kern DAP Music Players, Aurender Music Streamers & Servers, Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, Bryston , dCS Network Players, Esoteric N-05XD Headphone Amplifier, USB DAC & Network Player, Naim, iFi Audio
Yes, users can download tracks for offline listening on mobile devices
Lossless Ultra HD (24-bit/192kHz)
Lossless HD (16-bit/44.1kHz)
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to six users
Single Device: $5.99/month
Student: $5.99/month
(Discounted Plan prices for Prime members)
Over 100 million songs in HD quality
Over 7 million songs in Ultra HD quality
Compatible with Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet, Amazon Alexa Echo devices
Yes, users can download songs, albums, and playlists for offline listening
Hi-Res Lossless Audio (48kHz-192kHz)
Lossless Audio (Up to 48kHz)
Student: $5.99/month
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to six users
Over 90 million songs and 30,000 playlists with the world's largest classical music catalog
Compatible with all Apple devices; CarPlay; Windows, macOS desktop; Android Mobile/Tablet; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Google Nest; Smart TVs (Samsung); Playstation & Xbox
Yes, users can download and add up to 10,000 songs to their personal library for offline listening
16-bit FLAC Lossless CD-quality (16-bit/1411kbps)
Free Plan
Premium: $11.99/month
Duo: $15.99/month with up to 2 users
Family: $19.99/month with up to 6 users
Over 120 million songs with expansive categories based on mood, activity, genre
90 million tracks in HiFi streaming quality
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Xbox; Smart TVs; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Android Auto, Apple CarPlay; Chromecast; Google
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, Sony DAP Music Players
Yes, users can download songs for offline listening as well as import an existing music collection from another streaming service
AAC
Free Plan
Pandora Plus: $4.99/month
Pandora Premium: $9.99/month
Family, Student, and Military Plans available at a discounted rate
Uncertain
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Smart TVs; Voice assistants (Alexa, Google); Apple CarPlay
Yes, users with the Pandora Premium Plan can listen offline
Hi-Res Audio (24-bit/192kHz)
MP3, FLAC
Streaming: $10.99/month
Streaming Plus: $14.99/month
200,000 Classical and Jazz Albums
Over 70,000 Digital Booklets
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet
Yes, users can download songs in MP3 and FLAC file format for offline listening
Free Plan:
Automatic (24kbps-128kbps)
Normal (up to 128kbps)
High (up to 160kbps)
Very High (up to 320kbps)
Premium Plan:
Automatic (24kbps-320kbps)
Normal (96kbps)
High (160kbps)
'Very High' Bitrate of approximately 320kbps - Considered 'Lossy'
Free Plan
Premium Individual: $10.99/month
Premium Duo: $14.99/month with up to 2 users
Premium Family: $16.99/month with up to 6 users
Premium Student: $5.99/month
Over 70 million songs
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Apple CarPlay, Android Auto; Playstation & Xbox; Smart TVs
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, dCS Rossini APEX Player, Naim Mu-So Wireless Music System
Yes, users can download up to 10,000 songs each on 5 devices for offline listening
For online streaming: AAC, MP3
On-demand Content: AAC, MP3
Car & App Plans:
Platinum: $23.99/month
Music & Entertainment: $18.99/month
Music Showcase: $13.99/month
App-Only Plan: $9.99/month
No central library catalog. Instead, a curated selection of over 425 channels
SiriusXM App available on Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Windows, mac/macOS Desktop; Smart TVs; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Google
Uncertain
Max: Hi-Res Lossless Codec FLAC (up to 24-bit/192kHz)
High (up to 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC)
Low (up to 320kbps)
MQA
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to 6 users
Student: $4.99/month
110+ million tracks
Compatible with Windows, mac/macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Apple CarPlay, Android Auto; Playstation & Xbox; Smart TVs; Chromecast; Amazon Alexa Echo devices
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, dCS Network Players, Esoteric N-05XD Headphone Amplifier, USB DAC & Network Player, iFi Audio, Matrix Audio Music Streamers, Technics SL-G700M2 SACD Player & Network Music Player, Roon
Yes, users with the Individual and Student plan can download songs for offline listening
Audio Quality
Cost
Catalog
Device Support
Offline Playback
Qobuz
Hi-Res (24-bit/192kHz) or (24-bit/96kHz)
Lossless FLAC (16-bit/44.1kHz)
MP3 (320kbps)
Qobuz Studio: $10.83/month (available in Solo, Duo, Family plans)
Qobuz Sublime: $14.99/month (available in Solo, Duo, Family plans)
Qobuz Family: $17.99/month with up to 6 accounts
Over 250,000 Hi-Res albums across every genre
Over 100 million tracks in Lossless CD quality
Compatible with Windows, macOS desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Smart TVs; Chromecast; Apple CarPlay; Android Auto
Astell&Kern DAP Music Players, Aurender Music Streamers & Servers, Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, Bryston , dCS Network Players, Esoteric N-05XD Headphone Amplifier, USB DAC & Network Player, Naim, iFi Audio
Yes, users can download tracks for offline listening on mobile devices
Amazon Music Unlimited
Lossless Ultra HD (24-bit/192kHz)
Lossless HD (16-bit/44.1kHz)
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to six users
Single Device: $5.99/month
Student: $5.99/month
(Discounted Plan prices for Prime members)
Over 100 million songs in HD quality
Over 7 million songs in Ultra HD quality
Compatible with Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet, Amazon Alexa Echo devices
Yes, users can download songs, albums, and playlists for offline listening
Apple Music
Hi-Res Lossless Audio (48kHz-192kHz)
Lossless Audio (Up to 48kHz)
Student: $5.99/month
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to six users
Over 90 million songs and 30,000 playlists with the world's largest classical music catalog
Compatible with all Apple devices; CarPlay; Windows, macOS desktop; Android Mobile/Tablet; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Google Nest; Smart TVs (Samsung); Playstation & Xbox
Yes, users can download and add up to 10,000 songs to their personal library for offline listening
Deezer
16-bit FLAC Lossless CD-quality (16-bit/1411kbps)
Free Plan
Premium: $11.99/month
Duo: $15.99/month with up to 2 users
Family: $19.99/month with up to 6 users
Over 120 million songs with expansive categories based on mood, activity, genre
90 million tracks in HiFi streaming quality
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Xbox; Smart TVs; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Android Auto, Apple CarPlay; Chromecast; Google
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, Sony DAP Music Players
Yes, users can download songs for offline listening as well as import an existing music collection from another streaming service
Pandora
AAC
Free Plan
Pandora Plus: $4.99/month
Pandora Premium: $9.99/month
Family, Student, and Military Plans available at a discounted rate
Uncertain
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Smart TVs; Voice assistants (Alexa, Google); Apple CarPlay
Yes, users with the Pandora Premium Plan can listen offline
PrestoMusic
Hi-Res Audio (24-bit/192kHz)
MP3, FLAC
Streaming: $10.99/month
Streaming Plus: $14.99/month
200,000 Classical and Jazz Albums
Over 70,000 Digital Booklets
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet
Yes, users can download songs in MP3 and FLAC file format for offline listening
Spotify
Free Plan:
Automatic (24kbps-128kbps)
Normal (up to 128kbps)
High (up to 160kbps)
Very High (up to 320kbps)
Premium Plan:
Automatic (24kbps-320kbps)
Normal (96kbps)
High (160kbps)
'Very High' Bitrate of approximately 320kbps - Considered 'Lossy'
Free Plan
Premium Individual: $10.99/month
Premium Duo: $14.99/month with up to 2 users
Premium Family: $16.99/month with up to 6 users
Premium Student: $5.99/month
Over 70 million songs
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Apple CarPlay, Android Auto; Playstation & Xbox; Smart TVs
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, dCS Rossini APEX Player, Naim Mu-So Wireless Music System
Yes, users can download up to 10,000 songs each on 5 devices for offline listening
SiriusXM
For online streaming: AAC, MP3
On-demand Content: AAC, MP3
Car & App Plans:
Platinum: $23.99/month
Music & Entertainment: $18.99/month
Music Showcase: $13.99/month
App-Only Plan: $9.99/month
No central library catalog. Instead, a curated selection of over 425 channels
SiriusXM App available on Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Windows, mac/macOS Desktop; Smart TVs; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Google
Uncertain
TIDAL
Max: Hi-Res Lossless Codec FLAC (up to 24-bit/192kHz)
High (up to 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC)
Low (up to 320kbps)
MQA
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to 6 users
Student: $4.99/month
110+ million tracks
Compatible with Windows, mac/macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Apple CarPlay, Android Auto; Playstation & Xbox; Smart TVs; Chromecast; Amazon Alexa Echo devices
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, dCS Network Players, Esoteric N-05XD Headphone Amplifier, USB DAC & Network Player, iFi Audio, Matrix Audio Music Streamers, Technics SL-G700M2 SACD Player & Network Music Player, Roon
Yes, users with the Individual and Student plan can download songs for offline listening
A Closer Look at each Music Streaming Service
Qobuz
Amazon Music Unlimited
Apple Music
Deezer
Pandora
PrestoMusic
Spotify
SiriusXM
TIDAL
With a Qobuz subscription you get:
- 1-month Free Trial Period
- Capable of 24-bit Hi-Res Lossless Music
- Over 250,000 Hi-Res albums and over 100 million tracks in Lossless CD quality
- Exclusive editorial content: Reviews, HiFi product tutorials, buying guides, video interviews, in-depth artist interviews on the Qobuz Magazine
- Qobuz Club: An exclusive community for audiophiles and music lovers
- My Weekly Q: Weekly custom-curated selection of tracks based on your favorite genres
- Curated playlists based on genre, mood, activity, artist, format
- Ability to download songs for offline listening
- Track imports from other streaming services
- Ability to purchase tracks for lifetime ownership
Qobuz Studio subscribers get access to stream and download hi-res music with original editorial content and offline listening.
Qobuz Sublime subscribers get access to stream and download albums in Hi-Res and CD quality with original editorial content, offline listening, and discounts on Hi-Res purchases up to 60%.
The reigning king of hi-res streaming, Qobuz offers the most robust user experience with content dedicated to discerning audiophiles. It has the largest music collection of the streaming services listed with the ability to purchase tracks, download tracks, and listen offline. While it lacks the child-friendly curated content that TIDAL offers, Qobuz is the best service to discover new artists and expand your musical horizon.
Pros: Support for high-resolution audio, vast curated content collection, downloads, purchases and offline listening
Cons: No student plan or child-friendly curated content
Discover the Audiophile's Choice for Hi-Res Audio Streaming
For those seeking the ultimate hi-res music streaming experience, Qobuz is the clear choice. With its uncompromising sound quality, personalized user experience, and curated content, Qobuz stands out in the crowded world of digital music streaming. While TIDAL is the clear runner-up with its curated content for children and a large library of tracks, it falls short of reaching the same sound quality level as Qobuz. If you're a budget-conscious shopper we recommend taking advantage of the free trials offered by these music streaming services so you can experience each platform and then decide.
Audiophiles and music enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on sound quality will be delighted with Qobuz's robust offering of lossless audio and hi-res quality tracks. Qobuz makes it incredibly easy to discover new artists and branch out from your typical listening habits— which can be hard to do on your own. There are very few music streaming platforms that will curate a playlist for you weekly, refreshing the list with an array of new tracks so you never get bored of listening to the same thing. Qobuz's 'My Weekly Q' is truly the hidden gem of this music streaming service.
So whether you're exploring new genres, rediscovering classic albums, or diving into the latest releases from your favorite artists, Qobuz provides a platform that caters to your musical tastes and desires.
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