Qobuz Review 2025: Is It Worth Switching From Spotify or Apple Music?

Qobuz vs Tidal vs Amazon Music: Which Hi‑Res Service Wins?High-resolution streaming has moved from audiophile fringe to mainstream expectation. Qobuz, Tidal, and Amazon Music each promote hi‑res audio tiers, but they differ in catalog, sound formats, pricing, device support, editorial content, and features important to listeners who care about fidelity. This article compares them across the factors that matter most so you can pick the best service for your priorities.

What “hi‑res” means here

“Hi‑res” refers to audio that surpasses standard 16‑bit/44.1 kHz CD quality. That includes lossless CD‑quality (16‑bit/44.1 kHz) and higher sample rates and bit depths such as 24‑bit/96 kHz or 24‑bit/192 kHz. Perceptible benefits depend on source recordings, your playback chain (DAC, headphones/speakers, and room), and your hearing.

Sound quality & formats

• Qobuz: Offers lossless streaming up to 24‑bit/192 kHz (FLAC). Qobuz is known for prioritizing true lossless formats and for a large portion of its catalog encoded in genuine hi‑res masters.
• Tidal: Provides two main tiers relevant to hi‑res — HiFi (lossless FLAC ⁄₄₄.1) and HiFi Plus (including MQA and Dolby Atmos Music). Tidal uses MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) for many “Master” tracks, claiming studio masters with smaller file sizes. Tidal also supports Dolby Atmos Music on many tracks.
• Amazon Music: Amazon Music Unlimited HD tier includes lossless ⁄₄₄.1 and Ultra HD up to 24‑bit/192 kHz (FLAC/ALAC). Amazon markets many tracks as Ultra HD and supports spatial formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio on portions of its catalog.

Real‑world note: while maximum sample rates look similar across services, the audible difference between well‑produced 24‑bit/96–192 kHz and CD quality is subtle for most listeners. The decoding path (software/hardware) can influence whether formats like MQA deliver benefits.

Catalog coverage of hi‑res content

• Qobuz: Strong in niche, classical, jazz, indie, and many remastered albums; often sources from labels that provide high‑resolution masters. Qobuz tends to show detailed metadata about recording/pressing and sometimes offers downloadable hi‑res purchases.
• Tidal: Large mainstream catalog with many popular “Master” tracks via MQA; good for contemporary pop, hip‑hop, and R&B catalogues. Coverage of classical/jazz hi‑res is improving but historically narrower than Qobuz.
• Amazon Music: Massive mainstream catalog; a large and growing portion offered in Ultra HD and spatial formats. Coverage is broad across genres but depth of editorial framing for niche genres is less than Qobuz.

Device and playback support

• Qobuz: Native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, certain smart TVs, and many hi‑fi devices (Roon-ready, certain network streamers, Astell&Kern, Bluesound, NAD, Cambridge Audio, etc.). Supports DLNA and works well with external DACs.
• Tidal: Apps on major platforms, wide integration with streaming devices, smart speakers, gaming consoles. MQA decoding support depends on app + DAC: Tidal desktop/mobile can render MQA to an extent; full MQA unfolding often requires MQA‑capable hardware or renderer.
• Amazon Music: Apps on major platforms and native support on Amazon devices (Echo/Alexa); Ultra HD streaming can be used on many third‑party devices but some integrations lag behind. Spatial formats supported on compatible devices.

Practical tip: to actually hear hi‑res, use a good external DAC and a source app that passes the hi‑res stream bit‑perfectly. On phones, wired connections and compatible DACs are best.

Downloads & offline listening

• Qobuz: Allows downloading of entire hi‑res files for offline play on supported apps; also sells hi‑res albums for permanent download purchase (FLAC).
• Tidal: Offline downloads available in HiFi/HiFi Plus tiers; MQA downloads are subject to Tidal’s DRM and playback often relies on Tidal’s apps or MQA‑capable hardware.
• Amazon Music: Offline downloads in HD/Ultra HD available through Amazon apps for subscribers; purchased music from Amazon’s store can be downloaded in purchased formats (if available).

Pricing and subscription tiers (generalized)

• Qobuz: Typically offers a Studio (hi‑res) tier for lossless and hi‑res streaming; also annual plans and an option to buy albums. Pricing varies by region.
• Tidal: HiFi (lossless) and HiFi Plus (MQA, Dolby Atmos) tiers; promotions and bundles change frequently.
• Amazon Music: Free tier, Prime Music (limited), Amazon Music Unlimited with HD/Ultra HD included at higher price than standard; bundles often with Prime or discounts for Echo users.

Exact pricing changes by country and promotions—check current regional plans before deciding.

Extras: editorial content, recommendations, classical features

• Qobuz: Deep editorial content for classical and jazz, extensive liner‑note–style album descriptions, curated playlists focused on audiophile listening and niche genres.
• Tidal: Strong artist playlists, exclusive content and early releases historically, and emphasis on artist compensation programs and editorial curation for pop, hip‑hop, and R&B.
• Amazon Music: Large playlist library and Alexa integration (voice control, routines); editorial content improving but less specialized for audiophile classical listeners than Qobuz.

Ecosystem & artist compensation

• Qobuz: Smaller subscriber base but positions itself as artist‑friendly; sells hi‑res downloads which directly support labels/artists.
• Tidal: Marketed as artist‑centric with higher payout claims and programs for artist exclusives.
• Amazon Music: Large platform with significant market reach; compensation models differ and are less often emphasized as a selling point.

Which service wins for different priorities?

• If your priority is deep classical/jazz hi‑res catalogs, accurate album metadata, and the ability to buy hi‑res files: Qobuz is the strongest choice.
• If you want broad mainstream catalog, spatial audio options, and “Master” studio releases with wide device integrations (and you’re interested in MQA/Dolby Atmos): Tidal is compelling.
• If you want the largest mainstream library, strong device/voice integration (Alexa), and a cost‑effective route to Ultra HD within a broader Amazon ecosystem: Amazon Music is attractive.

Practical buying checklist

1. Confirm which specific albums you care about are available in hi‑res on each service.
2. Check your playback chain: desktop + external DAC or compatible streamer gives the best chance to realize hi‑res benefits.
3. Try free trials to compare sound, apps, and editorial features with your gear.
4. Consider whether buying (Qobuz) vs streaming (all) matters for long‑term ownership.

Conclusion There’s no absolute winner for everyone. Qobuz leads for audiophiles focused on classical/jazz and ownership of hi‑res files; Tidal is best for many mainstream “Master” releases and spatial formats if you accept MQA’s workflow; Amazon Music offers wide catalog and strong ecosystem value with Ultra HD at competitive pricing. Match the service to the genres you listen to, the hardware you own, and whether buying downloads matters.