Ideas: Higher Audio Quality

[pboser]

How about higher audio quality?  Amazon has introduced this feature, and others have been ahead of Pandora as well.  It would be great to have the Genome Project advantage with higher audio quality.  Do others agree?

Moderator Edit: Edited title for clarity

[user7]

Read on for five things you need to know about our new high-quality music experience:

1. High-quality music streaming is consistently one of the most requested new features by our users.
2. Spotify HiFi will deliver music in CD-quality, lossless audio format to your device and Spotify Connect-enabled speakers, which means fans will be able to experience more depth and clarity while enjoying their favorite tracks.
3. Ubiquity is at the core of everything we do at Spotify, and we’re working with some of the world’s biggest speaker manufacturers to make Spotify HiFi accessible to as many fans as possible through Spotify Connect. 
4. HiFi will be coupled with Spotify’s seamless user experience, building on our commitment to make sure users can listen to the music they love in the way they want to enjoy it. 
5. Spotify HiFi will begin rolling out in select markets later this year, and we will have more details to share soon.  

[jrenoe]

That's great except Spotify still doesn't come close to Pandora when it comes to Pandora's music selecting algorithm.

[MarkMusic]

yep, that's true.  if they'd offer CD quality they'd CRUSH the competition... I guess it's nice to not have to cause you're traded on the stock market and have $Billions, but if they're not careful they'll end up a Blockbuster Video in a Netflix world.

[user7]

Point of the post...

"High-quality music streaming is consistently one of the most requested new features by our users."

"Spotify HiFi will begin rolling out in select markets later this year, and we will have more details to share soon."

Spotify is delivering a highly desired feature to users.  Still no news on HiFi from Pandora.

[ColinMaclaurin]

I hope Pandora is considering this particularly with Spotify's announcement of a lossless tier expected later this year. 

[DaveOzric]

I already switched. My family sub expires tomorrow.

[Mekus31]

I recently signed up for Amazon Music because of this. When my Pandora subscription is up this year, I'm not renewing.

[MarkMusic]

Pandora's algo is amazing in how it matches music and creates the stations, etc.   they are missing it big time by not offering CD quality.  People pay Netflix extra for 4K, all they have to do is add $10/mo for HD music and a lot of people would do it.  The people who don't care would continue to pay the current rate while those who have an ear for high quality sound would pay the extra.

Pandora's current market capitalization is $2.68 billion and they have no need to give a **ahem** I suppose...  HD music WOULD boost their value, as a company, but again...  I would bet money they do nothing about this.  Sad.

[VP7]

As a musician audio quality is a HUGE issue for me. I am cancelling my subscription to Sirius XM in my car because the audio quality of satellite radio is absolutely abysmal. Now I am shopping for streaming alternatives. I just started a 30 day trial for Pandora Plus but will be looking at others, (i.e. Apple, Amazon, etc.) Was not aware of Tidal but will certainly check it out. If these sound better than Pandora, as so many have claimed,  I will switch. Hate to lose my stations but if Pandora can't keep up with their competition in terms of higher bit rates then I will have to say goodbye! Sorry, Pandora. 

[Dmac2]

Pandora needs to upgrade its audio quality to keep me as a subscriber.