Sound quality
Five qualities, from Data saver to Hi-res lossless, and what each one costs in data.
The five qualities, to scale
Quality
Bitrate, to scale
Bitrate
Data
Plan
Data saver
96 kbps
43 MB an hour
Free
Normal
Mobile data default
160 kbps
72 MB an hour
Free
High
320 kbps
144 MB an hour
Plus
Lossless
Wi-Fi default
1,411 kbps
up to 635 MB
Studio
Hi-res
4,608 kbps
up to 2.1 GB
Studio
Bars are drawn to scale by bitrate. Lossless streams vary by track: the solid part is a typical stream, the hatched part the most it can use. Data figures are the most an hour of streaming uses (sample figures).
What you hear at each step
Data saver, 96 kbps
Fine for spoken word and background listening. Cymbals and reverb lose detail.
Mobile data on a small plan
Normal, 160 kbps
Most people cannot tell it from a CD on earbuds outdoors.
The mobile data default
High, 320 kbps
Hard to tell from lossless on most headphones.
Downloads for travel
Lossless, up to 1,411 kbps
Exactly what is on the CD master, nothing removed.
The Wi-Fi default on Studio
Hi-res, up to 4,608 kbps
The studio master at 24-bit/96 kHz where the label supplies one. Needs a DAC to play at full resolution.
Wired headphones at home
Start with an album you know well
Longplay is free to download. Try the same record on Normal and on Lossless, with your own headphones, and decide whether you hear the difference.