Music Streaming Services – Pros & Cons

Streaming has become the most convenient way to enjoy music today, with a range of platforms offering millions of tracks at your fingertips. But not all streaming services are created equal, especially when it comes to audio quality.

At Arendal Sound, we use TIDAL for critical listening and Spotify for on-the-go convenience. Here’s a quick look at the most popular platforms and how they compare.

TIDAL

Pros:

• Offers lossless (FLAC) and Hi-Res audio (MQA/FLAC) tiers

• Great for critical listening and evaluating speaker performance

• Supports bit-perfect playback via compatible devices

• Strong editorial curation and artist content

Cons:

• More expensive than standard streaming plans

• The interface and recommendations are less intuitive than Spotify

Spotify

Pros:

• Most user-friendly app and algorithmic recommendations

• Massive catalog and playlists

• Ideal for casual or mobile listening

• Offline playback, smart device integration, and wide support

Cons:

• Currently limited to lossy audio (320 kbps Ogg Vorbis)

• No Hi-Res or CD-quality option yet (Spotify HiFi still pending)

Apple Music

Pros:

• Offers lossless and Hi-Res audio (at no extra cost)

• Seamless integration with Apple devices

• Strong music library and curated content

Cons:

• Limited support for bit-perfect playback outside of the Apple ecosystem

• No support for gapless Hi-Res playback on all devices

Qobuz

Pros:

• True Hi-Res FLAC streaming and downloads

• Transparent about formats—no proprietary codecs

• Excellent for audiophiles and collectors

Cons:

• Smaller catalog than competitors

• Less polished app experience

Amazon Music Unlimited

Pros:

• Offers HD and Ultra HD lossless audio

• Included with some Amazon Prime bundles

• Affordable entry to Hi-Res streaming

Cons:

• Clunky app and interface

• Poorer device support for high-end playback

Summary

If you want to get the most out of your Arendal Sound speakers, we recommend using a lossless service like TIDAL or Qobuz for any kind of serious listening. That said, Spotify remains a fantastic everyday companion, easy to use, highly accessible, and great for discovery.

Have fun listening!