I’m hard-pressed to find another example of a tech company announcing something and then waiting over four years to actually ship it, but that’s exactly the situation we’ve reached with Spotify and its long-delayed HiFi feature. The latest reports indicate it’s finally coming in a matter of months as part of a Music Pro package that Spotify hopes will ensure the service’s continued profitability.
But this has become quite the saga.
By all accounts, this aggressive approach from both companies totally derailed Spotify HiFi, which was always going to demand an upcharge over the service’s regular Premium subscription. The company went radio silent on the feature, and Spotify spokespeople never provided any meaningful updates on its status.
But I think Spotify also came to realize that higher-bitrate music streams alone wouldn’t be enough to prop up an “ultimate” subscription tier. A lot of people simply can’t hear the difference between lossy audio (like Spotify offers today) and CD-quality streams — or they lack the kind of headphone/speaker hardware that would highlight such an upgrade.
So the company has been reworking the plan into a broader “Music Pro” add-on that extends far beyond audio quality. It’s still unclear exactly what this will end up looking like: past reports have mentioned everything from early-access concert ticketing to DJ remixing tools. It’s also been rumored that Music Pro could offer an “optimization” trick for specific models of earbuds, headphones, and speakers. Spotify’s user surveys have hinted at other possibilities including karaoke — another thing Apple Music is already doing — and the option to add an additional user account to any Music Pro subscription.
Spotify itself might be undecided on just what Music Pro should entail: Bloomberg reported that the company “plans to roll out the plan in phases, adding tools and features over time” and is still planning to test new capabilities throughout 2025. But the surest sign that Music Pro is actually happening is that Spotify is talking about the project again. CEO Daniel Ek has mentioned an upcoming deluxe tier on multiple occasions. Last year, he said it would offer “all of the benefits that the normal Spotify version has, but a lot more control, a lot higher quality across the board, and some other things that I’m not ready to talk about just yet.” And only a few weeks ago, Ek claimed Spotify plans to “double down on music in 2025.”
Whenever it does eventually arrive, Music Pro will tack an extra $5 or $6 onto a standard Spotify Premium subscription, which currently starts at $11.99 per month. I’ve already made the switch to Apple Music, as I like knowing I’m getting the best quality possible for my money. But even I’ll be tempted to try Spotify’s ultimate plan once it’s ready. I don’t particularly miss Spotify Wrapped anymore, but it’s still the platform where most of my friends do their listening. If the company can string together an enticing bundle of perks, there’s always a chance I’d go back. It’d be a tough pill to swallow after using the far less bloated Apple Music app for so long, though.
How does Spotify ensure that Music Pro offers value for users, particularly in the face of competition from other streaming services?
Table of Contents
- 1. How does Spotify ensure that Music Pro offers value for users, particularly in the face of competition from other streaming services?
- 2. Spotify’s Long Awaited HiFi & Music Pro: An Interview with Spotify’s VP of Product, carbone LaFortune
- 3. After Years of Silence, Spotify’s Premium Offering Finally Takes Shape
- 4. Q: carbone, thank you for taking the time to discuss Spotify’s long-awaited HiFi feature and the upcoming Music Pro tier. Firstly, what led to the meaningful delay in releasing HiFi?
- 5. Q: So, Music Pro was born? Can you share more about what Spotify users can expect from this new tier?
- 6. Q: It’s been reported that Music Pro will be rolled out in phases. Can you comment on that and share any timeline or roadmap details?
- 7. Q: How does Spotify ensure that Music Pro offers value for users, particularly in the face of competition from other streaming services like Apple Music?
- 8. Q: carbone,if you were to leave our readers with one thought about Spotify’s upcoming Music Pro tier,what would it be?
- 9. Find out more about Spotify’s upcoming Music pro tier and its long-awaited HiFi feature as we continue to bring you updates on this exciting growth in the world of music streaming.
Spotify’s Long Awaited HiFi & Music Pro: An Interview with Spotify’s VP of Product, carbone LaFortune
In a four-year wait that has left tech enthusiasts and music lovers alike wondering, Spotify’s HiFi feature is finally set to release later this year, now as part of a larger, revamped subscription tier called Music Pro. to understand what’s been going on behind the scenes and what we can expect from Music Pro, Archyde News caught up with Spotify’s VP of Product, carbone LaFortune.
Q: carbone, thank you for taking the time to discuss Spotify’s long-awaited HiFi feature and the upcoming Music Pro tier. Firstly, what led to the meaningful delay in releasing HiFi?
carbon LaFortune: Well, initially, we believed that simply offering higher bitrate streaming would attract enough users to justify an upcharge over our Premium subscription. However, as we gathered more user feedback, it became clear that many users couldn’t discern the difference between lossy and CD-quality audio. Concurrently, we faced technological challenges and marketplace competition that forced us to reevaluate our strategy.
carbon LaFortune: Indeed, Music Pro is our evolved vision for an ‘ultimate’ Spotify experience. It will still include HiFi streaming, but we’ve expanded the offering to include a range of exclusive perks and features.Although we’re keeping some details under wraps, users can look forward to early-access concert ticketing, DJ remixing tools, and potentially even karaoke functionality. We’re also exploring ‘optimization’ tricks for specific models of earbuds, headphones, and speakers.
carbon LaFortune: Yes,that’s correct.We’re planning to roll out music Pro in phases, continually adding and testing new capabilities throughout 2025. Our goal is to curate a tier that truly delivers a premium, streaming experience like no other. As for the timeline, users can expect the first phase of Music Pro to launch within the next few months, with subsequent updates following soon after.
Q: How does Spotify ensure that Music Pro offers value for users, particularly in the face of competition from other streaming services like Apple Music?
carbon LaFortune: We believe that Spotify’s strength lies in its vast user base and unparalleled music discovery features. With Music Pro, we’re not only offering higher quality audio, but also exclusive perks and experiences that cater to our users’ unique preferences. By continuously gathering user feedback and iterating our offerings, we’re confident that Music Pro will provide an unmatched value proposition.
Q: carbone,if you were to leave our readers with one thought about Spotify’s upcoming Music Pro tier,what would it be?
carbon LaFortune: We’re thrilled to bring Music Pro to life after so much anticipation,and I promise it’ll be worth the wait. Stay tuned as we unveil more details in the coming months, and get ready to elevate your listening experience like never before.
