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One highly anticipated feature has been perpetually just out of reach for Spotify users – the long-promised “HiFi” or “super premium” subscription tier. Despite repeated teases from the company’s CEO, Daniel Ek, the audio upgrade that fans have been craving has remained stubbornly out of reach.
Back in 2021, the company first announced plans to roll out a deluxe version of its Premium subscription, touting the promise of “CD-quality, lossless audio” and other premium features. However, as Ek later revealed, licensing issues have consistently hindered the actual launch of this highly coveted upgrade.
That hasn’t stopped Spotify from revisiting the topic during quarterly earnings calls, much to the delight and exasperation of its user base. During the company’s latest third-quarter update, Ek once again suggested that the HiFi tier is still in the works, even as he highlighted other areas of focus, such as expanded video offerings and AI-powered enhancements.
Some industry analysts have speculated that Spotify’s HiFi tier might include additional features beyond just improved sound quality, such as AI-driven playlists or early access to new music releases. However, the company has already rolled out the AI playlist tool to its current Premium subscribers, leaving the potential uniqueness of the HiFi offering somewhat uncertain.
In a recent development, Billboard reported that Spotify has been collaborating with the major record label, UMG, to create a subscription tier specifically tailored for super fans. This tier could include perks like early access to new music, in addition to the promised HiFi audio quality. This news follows Spotify’s expanded partnership with UMG, which will provide artists with more promotional tools, improved distribution, and access to music videos.
With the CEO’s latest tease and the potential for a super fan-focused subscription, it seems that the company is inching closer to delivering the audio upgrade that its audiophile customers have been craving.
