Leaked information has surfaced, unveiling details about Spotify’s upcoming “Supremium” tier, encompassing its alleged price, features, and logo. The speculated plan seems poised to position Spotify as a formidable competitor to Apple Music, providing audiophiles with CD-quality music streams that resonate beautifully through premium speakers and headphones.
What is the Spotify Supremium Plan?
Originally known as HiFi, the Supremium plan represents Spotify’s venture into lossless audio, a concept teased back in February 2021. Despite an initial plan for a 2021 launch, Spotify encountered delays, attributing them to industry shifts.
Finally, in March 2023, Spotify’s President, Gustav Söderström, confirmed the continued existence of the HiFi concept, now rebranded as Supremium, thanks to leaks from Reddit and a blog post by renowned blogger Chris Messina in September and October 2023, respectively.
Supremium Pricing Details
According to a September 2023 leak from a Reddit user, the Supremium subscription is expected to cost $20 (₦19,200) per month. This pricing, almost double the regular subscription cost, may pose a significant investment for users, surpassing even the Family plan for six accounts.
Exclusive Features of Spotify Supremium
To justify the premium pricing, Spotify is rumoured to offer a suite of exclusive features. These include AI-generated playlists, empowering users to create playlists based on prompts. Additionally, advanced mixing tools will allow customization of playlist orders by tempo and danceability, making it ideal for various occasions. Spotify is also said to introduce new transitions between tracks, providing a more intuitive listening experience.
Data Insights and Time Capsules
Supremium may include a “soundcheck” feature and in-depth listening data, allowing users to explore their streaming habits. An intriguing addition called “Your Sound Capsule” hints at a personalized music time capsule, akin to Spotify’s Playlist in a Bottle feature.
Audiobooks as a Bonus
In a generous move, Spotify plans to sweeten the Supremium deal by offering 20-30 hours of audiobook listening time each month, exceeding the current offering for paying users.
The Core Attraction: Lossless Audio
Despite the array of features, the main draw of Spotify Supremium remains its 24-bit lossless audio, a significant leap from its current maximum audio bitrate of 320kbps. This places it in competition with Apple’s lossless streams and Tidal’s premium subscription, offering audiophiles an enhanced listening experience.
As the music streaming landscape evolves, Spotify’s Supremium aims to redefine the premium audio experience, catering to enthusiasts seeking unparalleled sound quality and innovative features.
The Battle for Audiophile Ears: Spotify Supremium vs. the Giants
Spotify is gearing up to throw its hat in the hi-fi audio ring with its rumoured “Supremium” tier. While details are still under wraps, it’s clear Spotify is aiming to compete with established players like Tidal and Apple Music. Let’s take a closer look at how Supremium might fare against its rivals.
Head-to-Head with Tidal’s HiFi Plus:
The biggest contender is Tidal’s HiFi Plus plan, offering lossless audio and multi-format spatial sound (Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio) for the same price as the rumoured Supremium $19.99(₦19,200). While Spotify’s potential lack of spatial audio could be a drawback, its vast user base and industry clout might still attract audiophiles. Tidal, however, boasts additional perks like music videos and Tidal Connect.
Amazon Music Unlimited: A Budget-Friendly Alternative:
Amazon Music Unlimited throws a curveball with its lower price point ($10.99(₦10,600) or even $8.99(₦8,900) with Prime). While it only offers a limited selection of lossless tracks, it supports Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio. While it lacks Spotify Connect, its integration with Alexa and Google Cast provides easy access.
Apple Music: The Apple Ecosystem Champion:
The ecosystem champion, Apple Music offers its entire library in lossless at a competitive $10.99(₦10,600). Dolby Atmos support is available, and unique perks like the Classical app and local file upload add value. However, its full potential is locked within the Apple ecosystem, making it less appealing to Android or PC users.
The AI Advantage: Can ChatGPT-Powered Playlists Be a Game Changer?
One potential ace up Spotify’s sleeve is its rumoured integration of AI-generated playlists based on ChatGPT style prompts. This could be a game-changer, offering a personalized listening experience unlike anything else in the market. If executed well, it could attract both casual listeners and audiophiles seeking a more curated experience.
The Verdict: It’s All in the Execution
While Spotify Supremium has the potential to shake up the hi-fi streaming scene, its success will hinge on its execution. Whether it can match or surpass its rivals in terms of audio quality, additional features, and, crucially, the AI-powered playlist functionality remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: Spotify’s entry into the hi-fi arena promises to make the streaming landscape even more exciting for music lovers.
