Spotify Audio Quality: Unlocking Optimal Settings for Superior Sound

If you’re reading this, we probably have at least one thing in common: we both use Spotify! And if we both use Spotify, we are given the same default settings upon installing the app. Some of us, the geeks, lol, check out every setting of each app we download. We try to tailor each app to our liking. But probably many just log in and leave the settings as they are the defaults.

But are these settings good enough?

When I think about default settings, I put myself in the shoes of the company developing the app. I believe they set default settings to please the widest range of users. And where possible, they adjust the settings to maximize their possible profit.

What does this mean for sound quality settings in the Spotify app? Before I answer that, let’s look at what the default settings are. Oh, you can find the settings here: on the phone by clicking on your logo or avatar, and then settings and privacy. On the computer app, click on your logo or avatar and then settings.

Default audio quality settings:

  • Streaming quality: Automatic
  • Download: High
  • Auto-adjust quality: On
  • Normalize volume: On
  • Volume level: Normal

So, what are the best sound settings on Spotify?

Before we get into settings, I must say that there is a free app and a paid version. The free version doesn’t have all the options, so try to make the most of what you can. Below are options for Spotify Premium, which I use.

Streaming quality (on mobile devices, WiFi and cellular are separate)

Why is streaming quality set to automatic? Because it involves streaming content that is transmitted continuously from Spotify’s servers. If you have a poor internet connection, the app will determine the speed of your internet connection and adjust the sound quality accordingly. The higher the quality, the more data is transferred. And if the internet connection is slow, the content cannot be transferred as quickly as it should be. What happens in this case? Playback starts to stutter. Like a YouTube video that stops and starts loading while watching.

Is this (automatic) a good setting? Yes, and no. It’s good if you often have problems with a poor internet connection. It’s bad when you have a great connection because we don’t know what quality the app will serve us. Probably not the best possible quality. Why? The higher the quality, the faster the internet connection Spotify needs, and that costs them more.

So, what is the best possible setting in the streaming quality tab?

Choose it. If you notice stuttering while listening, you have other options:

  • Download songs and other content to your phone, computer, or tablet.
  • Choose the next best option: Keep very high and tick Auto-adjust quality (described below).

Download

This feature gives us the option to choose the quality of the content we will download to our device. It’s best if we can do this when connected to a Wi-Fi network. The transfer will then likely be the fastest, and we won’t use data for the transfer. What is the best quality for downloading content? I highly recommend this option again (very high). The downside is that it takes up more space than lower-quality. You have to try how much content at the best quality takes up. If you have enough space on the device you are using, very high option is the right choice for quality.

Auto-adjust quality

What is auto-adjust quality? When we previously choose, say, the best possible quality, we will hear it as long as we have a fast internet connection. If the internet speed drops, the app will automatically adjust the quality. Use this option if you often have fluctuations in speed. If you always have a good internet connection, you don’t need this.

Normalize volume

A great feature. I recommend setting it to On. The app will make all the content equally loud. But, isn’t this usual? Not really. The content that is recorded is not of the same loudness, as there are so many different studios around the world, each with its own specifics. Then there are podcasts, where each podcaster records differently—some loudly, others quietly. The app here evens out all our content. So, something won’t be loud, and another thing will be quiet.

Volume level

Premium users can choose between quiet, normal, or loud options. Each of these has its advantages.

  • The quiet profile will make songs a bit quieter and clearer. This is a good choice if you are at home, there are no other disturbing sounds, and you listen to calm music.
  • The normal profile plays songs at a medium baseline loudness, but the sound is not as clear as with quiet, although Spotify says the quality is the same as with quiet. This option is a good choice for most users, and I use it too.
  • Loud is, of course, louder. However, some sound quality is lost due to the loudness, which the app also warns about. This option is good if you are in a workshop, gym, or other similarly noisy environment.

Conclusion: the best settings If I have only one answer, I’ll say this (these are also my settings):

  • Streaming quality: Very high (on wifi and cellular as well – mobile version)
  • Download: Very high
  • Auto adjust quality: Off
  • Normalize volume: On
  • Volume level: Normal

What about you? What are your settings? Do you use any other apps?

Tip: Sound quality affects the amount of data transferred. If you have a limited amount purchased, you need to adjust your settings. In this case, the best solution is to download content to your phone, tablet, or PC.

If you have a question, write to me below in the comments or by email.

See you!

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