Since 2013, the streaming service Tidal has offered its customers the option to listen to music in CD quality. And so far, the users have paid handsomely for this: A hi-fi subscription has cost £19.99 a month, while the standard subscription for £9.99 only has been offering music in 320 kbps AAC.
Startning now, however, premium customers will have their sound quality upgraded to full CD quality for the same £9.99 monthly as before. Thus, Tidal is preparing for the price war on hi-fi streaming that has been joined by most streaming services. Tidal Premium thus changes its name to Tidal HiFi.
Atmos and Sony 360
Current HiFi customers will also have their subscription upgraded under the name Tidal HiFi Plus. This is done with what Tidal calls “Innovative Audio Formats.” In addition to the so-called Master quality in the form of HD sound in the MQA format, that has been offered to HiFi customers, users will in future also have access to spatially coded sound in the formats Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio. The bit rate on Tidal HiFi Plus will be “up to 9,216 kbps. And the price will still be £19.99 per month.
There are also a number of “softer” benefits of the Plus subscription, which will be implemented in 2022. Thus, the musicians that the individual user plays the most will get a larger share of the pie when it comes to paying royalties. You will even be able to follow how your own listening habits affect your favorite artists. And of course share your good conscience on social media.
