By Chris Haslam
Published: Wednesday, 04 December 2024 at 09:30 AM
How to get the most from your Spotify subscription
Read on to discover how to get the best from of your Spotify subscription, courtesy of our audio guru, Chris Haslam…
For music streaming, Spotify is the go-to service…
While fans of physical media have embraced the resurgence of vinyl, it is now virtually impossible to ignore the dominance of music streaming. And with 626 million users, 246 million paid subscribers and over 100 million songs, Spotify remains the go-to service, whatever your musical proclivity.
As a service, it’s quick to download and easy to navigate. But dig into the menus and you’ll be surprised by the extras that can improve sound quality and create playlists based on your favourite artists, eras and genres.
Making the most of your Spotify subscription… how to boost sound quality
While MP3 files have revolutionised how we consume media, nobody has ever suggested they sound especially good. However, you can boost the standard 96kbps streaming rate through the ‘Audio Quality’ menu in settings. You can choose between 24kbps (low quality), 96kbps (standard), 160kbps (high) and 320kbps (the best sound in MP3 format), although you will only be able to stream a maximum of 128kbps through the free platform. To save mobile data, you can also stream higher quality when only on Wi-Fi.
- Would you spend a million pounds on a hi-fi? What if it sounds like nothing you’ve ever experienced?
Making the most of your Spotify subscription… how to save playlists
You can now save playlists and podcasts to your smartphone’s internal memory. Look for the ‘…’ icon on the app, touch it and you’ll see the option to ‘download’. To keep the whole album, you need to tap the small down arrow.
How to import digital files from your computer
While Spotify has a vast library, its classical music selection can occasionally be a touch thin. Thankfully, you can import digital music files from your computer or hard drive and add your own rarities to your personal Spotify app. You need to use Spotify’s desktop app, and there’s a ‘Local File’ tab in ‘Settings’ that can pull stored songs. Not all formats are compatible, however, and you’ll need a Premium subscription if you want to listen on your smartphone.
Making the most of your Spotify subscription… how to use AI to create playlists
Readers of a certain age might remember Pandora. This early internet radio service would play music similar to a chosen artist, and introduced me to some wonderful music. Spotify has a host of curated services, too, and its most reliable Discover Weekly playlist generates a mixtape based on recent listening.
They’re also now using AI to create unique playlists. So, for instance, I asked Spotify for ‘Classical Music From 1700’ and it produced a playlist of 30 works, including Handel, Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart. Click the ‘+’ button and select ‘AI Playlist’. It’s worth remembering, too, that Spotify can create a radio playlist based on a single song. Open that song, tap the three-dot menu next to the track, and select ‘go to radio’. Spotify will create a stream of songs based on your choice.
We recommend… the best speakers to make the most of your Spotify subscription
LG XBoom XO2T £150
Part lava lamp, part Bluetooth speaker, this cute design pumps out 360-degree audio and can easily fill a generously sized living room with sound. Battery life is 15 hours, and the adjustable built-in LED lights can be programmed in a separate smartphone app to offer added ambiance. lg.com
Audio Pro T3+ £150
I love this cute, compact battery-powered Bluetooth speaker from Audio Pro, which combines Scandinavian style with size-defying audio. There’s a pair of 2cm tweeters and a 9cm subwoofer which, combined with some clever DSP (Digital Signal Processing) make it perfect for a party. audiopro.com
Marshall Acton III £259
Heritage brand Marshall has diversified in recent years to cater to more than just rock and roll. The Acton III Bluetooth speaker boasts a 30-watt woofer and two 15-watt tweeters, and sounds superb for its modest size (260x170x150mm). Plus, it’s made from 70 per cent recycled plastic. marshall.com