Beginner's guide to High-Resolution Audio Streaming and Downloading

If you’re a beginner in the world of High-Res Audio streaming, then prepare your ears for an incredible new way of listening. Most music streaming services, including Spotify, YouTube and Vevo, offer significantly compressed audio files, which means a steep cut in sound quality. High-Res Audio streaming is about to change the game, allowing you to take in the sounds of your favorite artists in better than CD-quality audio while enjoying the portability and immediacy of streaming. From exploring the technology and file formats to choosing a streaming service and investing in the right hardware, this guide will help you navigate the world of High-Resolution Audio streaming the next time you press play.

What is High-Res Audio Streaming?

High-Resolution Audio is changing the way music sounds, offering a vastly superior sound quality. For High-Resolution Audio streaming beginners, it’s important to understand how this audio technology works. High-Resolution Audio files use a higher sampling frequency. This means that High-Res Audio files comprise more bits, improving the accuracy of your sound and the quality of your music. The Digital Entertainment Group, Consumer Electronics Association and The Recording Agency, as well as record labels define High-Resolution Audio as “lossless audio that is capable of reproducing the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from better than CD quality music sources.”

There are a number of High-Res Audio file formats available that can be enjoyed in pristine sound quality, depending on your listening device. Downloaded file formats depend on your computer operating system. The most popular file formats include FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec), WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) and ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec). These file formats retain more information than MP3s, which translates to a noticeable increase in sound quality.

Check out our High-Res Audio buzzwords

What Are Your High-Res Audio Streaming Options?

A growing number of services offer High-Res Audio downloads and streaming, including Tidal, which provide thousands of High-Res Audio albums and singles for download and listening. If you’re interested in streaming your favorite tracks while away from the computer or at your desk, Tidal offers high-quality streaming for a monthly subscription fee.
 

Where to buy High-Res Audio music?

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How to manage your High-Res Library?

While you can easily download the high definition audio file to your computer, you’ll need the right software to be able to listen to the music.

iTunes allows you to play High-Resolution Audio files. However, there are some limitations. Luckily, there are software options out there that let you play High-Res Music alongside or on top of iTunes, so you can still use the interface that you are used to. A few software possibilities for Mac users include Audirvana, BitPerfect and Pure Music 2.

If you prefer a completely different interface that doesn’t rely on iTunes, check out JRiver Media Center. This software is available for both Mac and Windows users. You can download a free 30-day trial to see if it has the features you want. Once you decide on the right high-res library software for you, you’ll have a new home for your high resolution music library and will be ready to move on to the next step.
 

Other Tips for Enjoying High-Res Audio Streaming?

Downloading and streaming high-res music files is a step in the right direction, but it’s only one half of the equation. Equipping yourself with the right hardware to fully enjoy your High-Res Audio streaming experience is also important. From choosing the perfect pair of High-Res Audio capable headphones to a music player with enough memory to hold all your favorite songs, High-Res Audio streaming is most delightful with the right tools.

If you want to get started in the world of High-Res Audio streaming, you’ll need headphones that will tune out any distractions. Our High-Resoluton Audio headphones are perfect for immersing yourself in the music, allowing you to enjoy High-Resolution Audio without any of the wires. Bluetooth capable devices like these enable you to listen to music wirelessly and transmit data at a much higher speed than traditional Bluetooth audio.

When you want to take the stream with you, there are a number of wireless speakers and portable music players to consider, whether you need to provide the soundtrack for a gathering with friends, dinner with the family or a night of dancing. For instance, let the sounds of High-Resolution Audio color your world with our High-Resolution Wireless Speaker. It easily fits into your lifestyle, and can stow away easily. The wireless speaker provides High-Resolution Audio quality for all your favorite tracks and connects to online streaming services.

Enjoy the Experience

Now that you know how High-Res Audio streaming works, what services offer it and the hardware you need to complete the ultimate listening experience, you’re set to enjoy this latest music trend. Find a new song or rediscover an old favorite in a whole new way with the sounds of High-Resolution Audio.

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