Audio Quality

[JacobH]

I'm not sure if there is a post already about this but its kind of a specific question so I figured id post anyway.

On my 2021 King Ranch I have the upgraded B&O sound system which to me sounds pretty good. I compared it to my buddies 2015 High Country Chevy 3500 and I find that in the stock sound settings my truck has less bass but is more clear and full. This could be due to many things including the quality of music he has set to stream on Spotify (I keep mine on the highest for streaming and download) and I've compared it to my dads 2011 F150 Platinum which of course mine just sounds better as it has 10 extra speakers. The one thing I've noticed is that in my truck I cant really hear the speakers in the headrests without my ear literally being on the head rest for most songs. I haven't tried tuning the speakers in the settings so its possible I can get better sound that way.

The main question I have is about sound quality now I don't really have any complaints about the the sound of the speakers its self as I'm not an audiophile and I'm in a big truck so I cant expect too much but has anyone really noticed much of a difference in the audio quality going from Spotify High sound quality to Tidal Mater? I figured it was better to plug my phone into the truck and use wired carplay in hopes for better sound but honestly I didn't really notice any difference in the tracks. Granted I was driving so its possible that the noise just affected it but I was playing songs at 15/30 and 20/30 and still didn't notice anything.

I will say that Dolby Atmos was a little wild, I'm not sure its really suited for the trucks sound system as it kind of sounded like it just ramped the setting up and made everything louder and hit harder. It felt like 20/30 was actually 30/30 with the bass cranked to 100%. and the 360 option was pretty bad, it sounded like the quality went down and certain sounds were really harsh and seemed misplaced. I looked in the tidal settings and saw that it didn't recognize the truck/carplay as "360 Reality Audio" (the optimized device said no device) which also makes me believe its not compatible with my truck.

So is Tidal really worth the extra price vs Spotify and are the Master tracks, Dolby Atmos, and 360, good or bad in your trucks? Also how loud are the headrest speakers for you?

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[WestlakeHorn]

In a Ford truck, I would say the answer is definitely “no”

 

[Paul Neubauer]

I use Apple Music and stream lossless files with no complaints.

 

[spud_41]

The headrest speakers aren't supposed to be that noticeable, it's just supposed to enhance the surround sound, which I'm assuming you're listening in surround sound rather than stereo. If you adjust the fade to a little behind the front seats you'll notice them more and it takes away from the front center speaker to give you a bigger stage. Can't help you with Tidal since they make you download extra apps to run it which doesn't sit right with me. High quality downloaded Spotify is really all I've messed with, the recording of the songs makes a massive difference in their sound which is disappointing for some great older songs and surprisingly good for newer songs I never would have listened to.

 

[Coreytrevor]

Apple Music with lossless audio is the way to go…. Makes a huge difference and Spotify is behind the times on quality

 

[JacobH]

I use Apple Music and stream lossless files with no complaints.

I don't really use apple music as I've had Spotify for several years now. Have you noticed any sound quality difference between Apple music and other apps?

 

[JacobH]

The headrest speakers aren't supposed to be that noticeable, it's just supposed to enhance the surround sound, which I'm assuming you're listening in surround sound rather than stereo. If you adjust the fade to a little behind the front seats you'll notice them more and it takes away from the front center speaker to give you a bigger stage. Can't help you with Tidal since they make you download extra apps to run it which doesn't sit right with me. High quality downloaded Spotify is really all I've messed with, the recording of the songs makes a massive difference in their sound which is disappointing for some great older songs and surprisingly good for newer songs I never would have listened to.

Yes I am in surround sound. I've also seen some people complain that the audio setting in the ford trucks are too heavy on the front mid section and it downs out some of the other speakers in the truck. Personally I've gotten used to it at this point but I remember hearing it for the first time and thinking it was a little too reliant on the front center speaker, kind just sounded like all the audio was on the dash. I will have to mess with the centering of the audio and see how it sounds when adjusted like you said.

 

[Antimatter22]

I would try it out and see for yourself. I know Tidal does a 30 day trial, I'm sure Apple Music has something similar. Audio quality is super subjective, so I would try out different services and see if the cost is worth it to you. I feel Tidal over Amazon Music was a big upgrade, but perhaps it's all in my mind.

 

[JacobH]

Apple Music with lossless audio is the way to go…. Makes a huge difference and Spotify is behind the times on quality

Is Spotify really that bad? From what I've seen online the highest quality Spotify has is basically CD lossless as it is. Can you really tell that much difference in audio quality between the two to warrant the switch?

 

[JacobH]

I would try it out and see for yourself. I know Tidal does a 30 day trial, I'm sure Apple Music has something similar. Audio quality is super subjective, so I would try out different services and see if the cost is worth it to you. I feel Tidal over Amazon Music was a big upgrade, but perhaps it's all in my mind.

I guess my biggest thing is I've used Spotify for so long that at this point I have over 1500 songs not only saved as liked songs but I also have most of them downloaded as high quality tracks. I was switching between Tidal and Spotify for the same track but with Spotify High Quality, Tidal Master, and Tidal Dolby Atmos. I couldn't tell a difference in depth or clarity between the two and Dolby was just not meant for a truck in my opinion lol. Tidal is just more expensive to get the master downloads and considering I mostly listen to music in the truck or at work with airpods pros it doesn't seem worth it to me.

 

[Coreytrevor]

Is Spotify really that bad? From what I've seen online the highest quality Spotify has is basically CD lossless as it is. Can you really tell that much difference in audio quality between the two to warrant the switch?

It’s not bad…… I was very hesitant on switching and didn’t actually believe it but it’s honestly a massive difference. Think apple has a free trial or 3 months for 9.99. Honestly give it a try and you will see. I haven’t put volume above 20 since using Apple lossless because it sounds so good

 

[Tosh]

Is Spotify really that bad? From what I've seen online the highest quality Spotify has is basically CD lossless as it is. Can you really tell that much difference in audio quality between the two to warrant the switch?

Yes. I ditched Spotify and moved to Apple Music. For me, I'm saving money on the deal because I pay for a family.

Not all of the music on Apple is lossless quality, but none of it is lossless on Spotify.

It's like Spotify is regular FM and Apple is HD FM. Totally worth it.

 

[JacobH]

Im going to try it but its going to be hard to justify moving from Spotify after probably 9 years and 1200 songs saved and downloaded.

 

[2Lazy2P]

The iPhone also has programmed EQ settings that might enhance the listening experience. This screenshot is a partial of the list.

 

[JacobH]

The iPhone also has programmed EQ settings that might enhance the listening experience. This screenshot is a partial of the list.

I thought that only worked for apple music., is this not true?

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