Screenshots have surfaced online of what may be the user interface for Spotify’s highly anticipated Supremium tier. Or should we say: ‘Improved listening’? This is apparently the new name for the level according to user OhItsTom, who posted seven images of the possible update on Reddit. They show what the new layer could look like on desktop and mobile devices. What’s interesting about the images is that they show some of the tools and text windows that may be present in the final product.
Based on the four smartphone photos, the hi-res audio feature will be known as Spotify Lossless. This set consists of an introductory manual that explains how the whole thing works. It says subscribers can wirelessly stream music files “in up to 24-bit” via Spotify Connect on a compatible device. A Lossless label will apparently light up to let you know when you’re streaming in the higher format. Spotify gives users “pro tips” and a troubleshooting tool in case they don’t receive lossless audio. The last screenshot shows that you can adjust the quality of the song ‘and Downloads in Settings’.
Spotify Lossless on desktop
Much of the important information can be found on the desktop screenshots. This set shows what appears to be a compatibility check to see if your computer setup is good enough to stream music in high resolution. At the top of the menu page is an audio frequency monitor – at least that’s what we think it is. We’re not entirely sure what it’s for. The table has a frequency readout of 60 Hz to 15 kHz. It will supposedly allow users to see the strength of their signal.
The first image shows that the right side of the page contains enhanced listening options. When you connect to the service, Spotify tests whether you have a device that can stream HiFi music. It then checks what type of connection you have and what your internet bandwidth is. The app gives you a score ranging from Low to Lossless, which is the best rank.
Lossless has a bitrate limit of 1,411 kbps. 9To5Google points out in its reporting that this figure is lower than Tidal’s maximum limit of 192 kHz. So Spotify’s high-resolution streams may not be as good as Tidal’s, even though the average listener may not be able to tell the difference. However, the last screenshot shows that it is possible to increase the bit rate limit to 2,117 kbps. Text below the layer adds that 24-bit lossless music in the FLAC format will be available, but only on certain tracks.
Promising update
A Compatibility Checker notice states that using a Bluetooth connection may have a negative effect on lossless listening because the standard “does not fully support lossless sound.” It recommends that you use certified Spotify Connect hardware, such as Amazon Alexa speakers.
Those are all the important details we can glean from the leak. Of course, take everything with a grain of salt.
No word on a release date, but based on the leak, Spotify Enhanced Listening could launch soon, and it looks complete at a glance. Maybe there are just a few bugs that need to be fixed. Fingers crossed that this is the case.
If you’re curious about how they made the features appear, OhItsTom says in a comment that they used it Spices, a third-party customization tool for the Spotify client. They explain that they used the app to crack the software and “forcibly enable (change the user interface) using code.” Spicetify is free, although it does require some technical knowledge to get the most out of it.
Check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best headphones for 2024.