A handful of streaming services offer high-res audio. These are the best places to find better-than-CD-quality sound.
ByJeffrey L. Wilson
Jeffrey L. Wilson
Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming
My Experience
Since 2004, I've penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including the late, great 1UP; Laptop; Parenting; Sync; Wise Bread; and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skillset as the Managing Editor of PCMag's Apps & Gaming team.
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&Gabriel Zamora
Gabriel Zamora
My Experience
My career has taken me through an eclectic assortment of fields, and connected me with people from all walks of life. This experience includes construction, professional cooking, podcasting, and, of course, writing. I’ve been typing up geeky takes since 2009, ultimately landing a freelancing position at PCMag. This blossomed into a full-time tech analyst position in 2021, where I lend my personal insight on the matters of web hosting, streaming music, mobile apps, and video games.
Read Full Bio
UpdatedAugust 3, 2024
(Credit: RIAA)
Table of Contents
Pandora and Spotify are just a few of the manyonline streaming music servicesthat let you listen to your favorite songs and compositions while jogging, driving to the supermarket, or just sitting in the laundromat watching clothes dry. They're a musical convenience. However, that convenience comes at a cost beyond monthly subscription fees. Streaming music services typically compress audio into smaller, more manageable files. For most people, MP3- or CD-quality audio gets the job done, but if you have a thirst for audiophile-quality sound, you need to check out a service that offers high-res audio. Tidal is probably the best-known service for high-res audio, and it just so happens to be our top choice overall, thanks to its wealth of content. But it isn't the only great place to stream high-quality tunes, so read on for the rest of our top picks.
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Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.Read our editorial mission & see how we test.
Our Top Tested Picks
Best Overall Jump ToDetails Best for Amazon Prime Subscribers Jump ToDetails Best for Music Videos Jump ToDetails Best for High-Res Downloads Jump ToDetails 
Tidal
Amazon Music Unlimited
Apple Music
Qobuz
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
- RELATED:
- Best Music Streaming Services
- Best Free Music Streaming Services
- Best Audiophile Headphones
- Best Studio Headphones
Best Overall
Tidal
4.5 Outstanding
- Excellent sound quality
- Long-form editorial pieces
- Music-focused podcasts
- Exclusive backstage content, live streams, and concerts
- Lyrics
- Lacks a free listening tier
- DJ Extension is pricey
Tidal is a top-tier streaming service that features a large catalog, excellent curated content, and audiophile-friendly sound formats. The audio ranges from 320kbps AAC at the low end to high-res FLAC (up to 24-bit/192 kHz). To listen to high-res audio, you need a $10.99-per-month Individual account (or $16.99-per-month Family Hi-Fi plan) and compatible headphones.
Hard-core music fans, come for Tidal's ever-growing collection of high-res FLAC audio and stay for all the extra content, including concerts, backstage passes, and editorial.
Free Version Available
Hi-Res Audio
Live Programming
Non-Music Content
Song Lyrics
GET IT NOW
Learn More
Tidal Review
Best for Amazon Prime Subscribers
Amazon Music Unlimited
4.0 Excellent
- Large music and video library
- Cool AI-generated playlists
- Karaoke-style lyrics
- Supports hi-res audio
- Tight integration with Amazon device family
- Ad-supported free tier
- Lengthy 90-day free trial
- Lacks live radio
- Paltry discount for Prime members
Amazon Music Unlimited is a feature-rich streaming music service with an excellent selection of videos and podcasts. To further sweeten the pot, Amazon offers a sizable collection of HD and Ultra HD music (up to an absurd 3,730Kbps/24-bit/192kHz), making it an accessible way to enjoy high-res audio.
You'll enjoy a slight Amazon Music Unlimited discount if you're a Prime member ($9.99 per month vs. $10.99 per month), as well as a large music library, superb audio quality, and AI-generated playlists.
Free Version Available
Hi-Res Audio
Live Programming
Non-Music Content
Song Lyrics
GET IT NOW
Learn More
Amazon Music Unlimited Review
Best for Music Videos
Apple Music
4.5 Outstanding
- Features more than 100 million tracks
- Cool video playlists
- 24/7 Apple Music radio stations and video channel
- Rich hi-res audio and Dolby Atmos sound
- Supports lyrics and karaoke
- Lacks a free version
- Lossless audio not available on all platforms
The combination of excellent music-related content, curated playlists, and lossless playback make Apple Music a strong contender in the competitive streaming music field. The service's catalog of more than 100 million songs is encoded in Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) resolutions ranging from 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD Quality) to 24-bit/192kHz.
If you own an Apple device, Apple Music should be your primary listening option. There isn’t much reason to look elsewhere, considering the service’s all-encompassing features such as excellent sound quality and Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio support.
Free Version Available
Hi-Res Audio
Live Programming
Non-Music Content
Song Lyrics
GET IT NOW
Learn More
Apple Music Review
Best for High-Res Downloads
Qobuz
4.0 Excellent
- High-quality lossless and studio-quality audio streaming
- Huge catalog with new releases and old
- Both streaming and purchasing available
- Includes liner notes in PDF form
- Interviews, guest playlists, and background articles
- Well-designed apps for all platforms
- No free account level
- Lacks social components
- No live stations or podcasts
- Lacks smart speaker support
Qobuz fancies itself as the home for true music fans. Its Studio plan ($12.99 per month or $129.99 per year) serves 24-bit FLAC music at up to 192kHz. Qobuz offers more than 240,000 high-res albums, too. A robust 100 million-song catalog, slick interface, and liner notes round out this excellent service.
If you like collecting music, Qobuz is the service for you. Not only does it offer excellent-quality sound, but its Sublime plan ($179.99 per year) offers up to a 60% discount on high-res music downloads.
Free Version Available
Hi-Res Audio
Live Programming
Non-Music Content
Song Lyrics
GET IT NOW
Learn More
Qobuz Review
Buying Guide: The Best Music Streaming Services for High-Res Audio in 2024
Compare SpecsThe Best Music Streaming Services for High-Res Audio in 2024
Our Picks | TidalCheck Price | Amazon Music UnlimitedCheck Price | Apple MusicSee It$10.99 Per Month at Apple Music | QobuzSee ItStarts at $10.83 Per Month at Qobuz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Editors'Rating | Editors' Choice 4.5Editor Review | Editors' Choice 4.0Editor Review | Editors' Choice 4.5Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review |
Free Version Available | ||||
Hi-Res Audio | ||||
Live Programming | ||||
Non-Music Content | ||||
Song Lyrics | ||||
Where to Buy | Free 30-Day Trial at TIDAL Music | Free 3-Month Trial at Amazon | $10.99 Per Month at Apple Music | Starts at $10.83 Per Month at Qobuz |
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Since 2004, I've penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including the late, great 1UP; Laptop; Parenting; Sync; Wise Bread; and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skillset as the Managing Editor of PCMag's Apps & Gaming team.
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My career has taken me through an eclectic assortment of fields, and connected me with people from all walks of life. This experience includes construction, professional cooking, podcasting, and, of course, writing. I’ve been typing up geeky takes since 2009, ultimately landing a freelancing position at PCMag. This blossomed into a full-time tech analyst position in 2021, where I lend my personal insight on the matters of web hosting, streaming music, mobile apps, and video games.
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