The quality revolution in music streaming
Ole Witthøft
A new era for music lovers
Just a few years ago, music streaming was primarily about convenience. Sound quality was secondary, and most services offered compressed audio with low bitrates to ensure fast playback and low data usage. Today, the situation is dramatically different. Faster internet connections and new streaming services focused on audio quality have ushered in a new era where the listening experience takes center stage.
From 96 kbps to 24-bit/44.1 kHz
Early streaming services like Spotify offered audio at 96 kbps (Low Quality) and 160 kbps (Standard Quality), with Premium subscriptions reaching up to 320 kbps in Ogg Vorbis format. This was sufficient for casual listening but far from CD quality (1,411 kbps in uncompressed PCM).
Today, several services offer Lossless and High Resolution formats:
- Tidal HiFi Plus: Up to 24-bit/192 kHz in FLAC
- Qobuz Studio Premier: Up to 24-bit/192 kHz in FLAC
- Apple Music Lossless: Up to 24-bit/192 kHz in ALAC
- Spotify Lossless (HiFi): 24-bit/44.1 kHz in FLAC
With Spotify Lossless, users get an audio experience that matches CD quality and goes a step further with 24-bit depth for better dynamics and detail.
The role of the internet
This development is possible thanks to massive improvements in internet infrastructure. Gigabit connections and 5G have become common, making it possible to stream lossless audio without buffering—even on mobile devices. The technological barrier that once limited sound quality is gone.
Comparison: Spotify vs. competitors
| Service | Max Quality | Format | Bitrate |
| Spotify Premium | 320 kbps | Ogg Vorbis | 320 kbps |
| Spotify Lossless | 24-bit/44.1 kHz | FLAC | 1,411–2,000 kbps |
| Tidal HiFi | CD Quality | FLAC | 1,411 kbps |
| Tidal HiFi Plus | Hi-Res | FLAC | Up to 9,216 kbps |
| Qobuz Studio | Hi-Res | FLAC | Up to 9,216 kbps |
| Apple Music | Hi-Res | ALAC | Up to 9,216 kbps |
A new era for music lovers
With Spotify Lossless, there’s no longer a compromise between convenience and quality. Music lovers now have access to an audio experience that matches CD quality and adds extra detail—directly from their favorite streaming service.
Silverback by System Audio – Built for Hi-Res streaming
To unlock the full potential of lossless streaming, you need speakers that can reproduce the full depth and detail of the music. Silverback speakers from System Audio are designed for this purpose. With built-in DSP, wireless functionality, and support for High Resolution audio, silverback is the perfect match for modern streaming services. 
They reproduce music with precision and clarity, allowing you to hear nuances that were previously lost—from the faintest whisper to the deepest bass. Silverback is 100% digital, meaning the sound is converted only once, preserving its quality.
Conclusion
Music streaming is no longer just about convenience—it’s about top-quality experiences. With Spotify Lossless and other High Resolution services, we’ve entered a new era for music lovers. Combined with speakers like System Audio silverback, this experience can be fully enjoyed.
Explore our technology:
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Why is there talk of a revolution in streaming quality?
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What do “lossless” and “Hi-Res” audio mean?
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What role does the internet connection play in this development?
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How does Spotify Lossless differ from Tidal and Apple Music?
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What are the biggest future trends in streaming quality?
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Will hi-res streaming become standard for all services?
Wireless Collection
Collection
Silverback 1 - Wireless bookshelf and On-wall speaker
A compact speaker designed for wall or shelf mounting with a built-in 80-watt total amplifier power, delivering powerful and detailed sound. It is proof that you can enjoy big sound – without big speakers. Dimensions: 21 × 32.5 × 13.5 cm.
17.498,00 kr.
Legend 5.2 silverback DS – Wireless bookshelf, stand, and On-wall speaker
A powerful compact speaker designed for shelf, stand or wall mounting with a built-in 150-watt total amplifier power, delivering every tone, nuance and breath in the music with clarity and depth. It is proof of exceptional musicality – even at low volume levels. Dimensions: 36.5 × 49.5 × 42.5 cm.
21.998,00 kr.
Legend 7.2 Silverback – Wireless On-wall speaker
An EISA Award–winning speaker designed to hang on the wall with a built-in 225-watt total amplifier power, delivering advanced sound without taking up floor space. It is proof that wall-mounted speakers can also create high-end music experiences. Dimensions: 28.6 × 47 × 15.4 cm.
31.497,00 kr.
Legend 10.2 silverback – Wireless center speaker
A powerful center speaker designed for shelf or wall mounting with a built-in 225-watt total amplifier power, delivering every tone and every whisper with clarity and depth. It is proof that groundbreaking technology and captivating sound go hand in hand. Dimensions: 50.4 × 19 × 26.5 cm.
14.499,00 kr.
Legend 40.2 Silverback DS – Wireless floor speaker
A revolutionary speaker designed for floor placement, with a built-in 300-watt total amplifier, delivering a pure sound experience that brings you closer to the artist than ever before. It is proof of a captivating experience that traditional loudspeakers cannot match. Dimensions: 19 × 95.5 × 26.5 cm.
