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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi,
I'm a complete newcomer to Music Streaming Services (MSS), so would appreciate any help and guidance please.
I'm not sure if there is a 'best' solution (for me) but if we base it on a user/family with only Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac etc) and only B&O speakers, is there a MSS which integrates best? Sound quality needs to be good, so is there a MSS best for this?
I've had a quick look on Google and currently it's a choice between Apple Music and Spotify. Spotify seems to get slightly better reviews because of it's bigger catalogue, but Apple gets better reviews for sound quality (AAC?). I'm thinking Apple to keep things easy simply because we are a family of Apple-device users. Tidal is apparently the best for sound quality, but falls short (by a long way) for it's much smaller catalogue.
There's just too much to read and take in on the internet, especially with the addition of Airplay 2, so thought it best to ask on here!
Cheers!
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
leosgonewild:I would go with Apple Music in your case.
Yeah, it's looking that way The 3 month free trial is tempting me.!
Do you have to Airplay the music to a B&O speaker like for example a BS1or2? And does Airplay sound as good as having something like Deezer built into the speaker? This is the bit I get confused with!
Cheers
LR2015:Yeah, it's looking that way The 3 month free trial is tempting me.! Do you have to Airplay the music to a B&O speaker like for example a BS1or2? And does Airplay sound as good as having something like Deezer built into the speaker? This is the bit I get confused with! Cheers
First, beware of casual comments that this streaming service sounds better than that one, it is extremely difficult to impossible to tell unless the differences are huge by doing a non-level matched, sighted test (where compare say A and B but know which is which while you're listening). It's very hard to level match to within 0.1 dB which is required, as the human ear perceives small differences in loudness as quality differences rather than loudness differences. So, take any opinions of "I compared Streaming Service with CD and CD was much better" with a huge grain of salt. Take them for what they are, a person's opinion, including the following!
I personally use Spotify Premium, running at 360kbs. I find the sound quality impossible to tell from CD even without level matching. Plus I really like the depth of the music catalog Spotify has, the interface is easy to use, and the radio channels are great. I have one I started off with years ago, a jazz one based off of a Grant Green album. By hitting the thumbs up and down buttons over time, it has become wonderfully adapted to my tastes. They also have various jazz playlists they've recommended to me based on that which have been spot on.
As for quality, once early on I was listening to the album "Mingus: Ah Um" specifically to the song "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat." I was certain I heard distortion on the slow, solo saxophone, so I put headphones on to get a closer listen. Not distortion, but the sound of air moving through the very close miked and softly played sax, it's there on my CD of it as well. So, thought I had a "gotcha" moment for the encoding, but it was accurately reproducing a very low level sound.
Anyway, I'm quite happy with Spotify, your mileage may vary of course, and I'm sure you'll get other opinions, pro and con. Hope you find one you enjoy and are happy with. BTW, I stream Spotify to an Auralic Aries Mini, which replaced a balky Playmaker, using an iPad or iPhone depending.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
B&O app for some reason pushes Deezer as „Music“ source even if you‘re logged out of Deezer and logged into Spotify...Obviously not even having an option to have Apple Music in B&O app as music source...so keep that in mind if you want to use the app as a main controller.
Like Jeff, I go for Spotify (Premium) too. (Also not sure that I would pay extra, if there were a higher quality version there).
Sure Deezer is better integrated in the B&O NL-ecosystem - but Spotify does integrate pretty well also.
The main reason I go for Spotify is, that is the only way to have gapless playback (important to me, to others not).
Even if I do use Apple devices, I did not go for Apple Music. You can only AirPlay from there - it is much too restricted.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Good point, gapless playback is important to me too, but I had forgotten about it with other streaming services.
Cheers guys - that's the kind of replies I was hoping for!
Interesting Jeff re difficulty in noticing quality differences between streaming services - I'm glad you mentioned this as this was my main concern. It makes sense what you say. Thank you
I forgot to mention - recently just installed an Apple TV 4K onto my BV11 and liked the idea that the ATV now has a Apple Music App. Sorry to mention sound quality again.. but would the sound quality be better through the ATV Music app (obviously the using Apple Music Streaming Service) than with say Spotify > Airplay > BV11? I should also note my BV11 is connected to a pair of Beolab 9's which I think are a great speaker so eager to get the most out of them!
Spotify's Gapless Playback is cool. I can't believe the other MSS don't offer this, yet!
I tried the in-built Deezer when I first got my BV11. It was sooooo slowwwww. So won't be going Deezer. It's still a toss up between AM and Spot - luckily both are the same price for family sharing.
Thanks again everyone!
I wouldn't worry too much about sound quality between the various streaming services.
There are some with a very sensitive ear who find small differences between a good stream and a CD - for some music i know very well, i do find the CD can be a touch richer, but on balance the stream is still very good. For the 30-50 records that in that category, i have a vinyl version if i really want a serious listen / more focussed experience.
By and large the other posters are correct, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer are pretty much exactly the same re quality. I use Tidal Hifi/Masters for the record - even though that's more for mobile purposes / laptop listening with headphones, their Apple tv app is pretty good.
Deezer don't have a native Apple TV app.
Beyond sound quality, consider how you are going to stream - using a native Apple TV app primarily, or using an iOS device?
I ask because while Apple Music, Tidal, and i assume Spotify have native Apple TV apps, navigating, searching and choosing music is still a bit clunky on the TV / Apple TV.
Anyway, just my thoughts - usability / convenience can be just as important as quality, especially as the streams are of similar standard.
Only you know how sensitive (over sensitive?!? like me!) you are.
I use Deezer Hifi with my Eclipse. The sound is very good. I have tried SPOTIFY connect also with Eclipse but the sound is rubbish.
So if You want best sound quality (and I can hear the difference) then use Deezer Hifi Or Tidal Hifi. I think it is very convenient using the B&O app for everything when using Deezer Hifi.
Best Regards
Martin
NEW! Beovision Eclipse 65 2nd generation (G1) with floorstand (from STB Brackets), Beolab 50 front, Beolab 3 rear, 2 x Beoplay A6 linkrooms, 2xBeoremote one BT, Beosound 9000 Mark III (sw 3.4), Beosound 5 (for DLNA only), Philips Hue (all lights in the home), Oppo UDP-203, Apple TV 4K (2021 model). Beoremote HALO, 3xBeoplay Charging pad, Beoplay M5
BS Moment, BS Core, BG 4002, BC 4500, BS1, BL18, BL19, BL8000 + RCV1, A6, M5, M3, A1, P6 (tks Botty), H5, TR1
Many older albums on deezer are lossyfiles.
LR2015: I forgot to mention - recently just installed an Apple TV 4K onto my BV11 and liked the idea that the ATV now has a Apple Music App. Sorry to mention sound quality again.. but would the sound quality be better through the ATV Music app (obviously the using Apple Music Streaming Service) than with say Spotify > Airplay > BV11? I should also note my BV11 is connected to a pair of Beolab 9's which I think are a great speaker so eager to get the most out of them!
If you have no other B&O/NL devices it all should come down to which UI you like most - unless you are like Martin and would claim to hear a difference between a 360 stream and a losless.
You will have to use AirPlay from the app /the service in favour.
However, if you have (or plan to have) an NL device in the setup, you should try Deezer (and do try out the loslees version too to be sure) - that could make things easier.
There should be no problem in trying out these different options, since you can test for free.
As noted, I went for - and stick to - Spotify Premium....but I never AirPlay (to my ATV’s) from there anyway, I use the Connect feature in my NL devices.
From there i simply joun in on my BV’s.....where my speakers are connected.
Try it out for yourself - then you will know, which one fits you (and the family) best.
LR2015: Spotify's Gapless Playback is cool. I can't believe the other MSS don't offer this, yet!
Apple Music definitely has gapless playback.
— Tuomas | Bang & Olufsen | Bang & Olufsen Create
Sandyb: Beyond sound quality, consider how you are going to stream - using a native Apple TV app primarily, or using an iOS device? I ask because while Apple Music, Tidal, and i assume Spotify have native Apple TV apps, navigating, searching and choosing music is still a bit clunky on the TV / Apple TV.
Thanks for reply Sandy. I don't think Spotify has an ATV app yet. On the BV11 (with ATV & BL9's) I would probably use / try the Apple Music app within the ATV. If i buy a separate wireless speaker (like a BS1/2 Edge etc) then I presume I would have to stream via Airplay from my iPhone SE.
Millemissen: If you have no other B&O/NL devices it all should come down to which UI you like most - unless you are like Martin and would claim to hear a difference between a 360 stream and a losless. You will have to use AirPlay from the app /the service in favour. However, if you have (or plan to have) an NL device in the setup, you should try Deezer (and do try out the loslees version too to be sure) - that could make things easier. There should be no problem in trying out these different options, since you can test for free. As noted, I went for - and stick to - Spotify Premium....but I never AirPlay (to my ATV’s) from there anyway, I use the Connect feature in my NL devices. From there i simply joun in on my BV’s.....where my speakers are connected. Try it out for yourself - then you will know, which one fits you (and the family) best. MM
Thanks MM. What's a 'NL' out of interest? Also, is 'Connect' an alternative to AirPlay?
Cheers guys... bear with me... I'm learning
Sandyb:Indeed- if you have music playing on the Apple TV, then other devices like a BS1 / Edge can join in (using the app or physically tapping them). Alternatively if you are streaming Apple Music to an Edge for example, you can join the TV setup using your BV11 remote. The only minor wrinkle with the B&O app is that if you are AirPlaying from an iOS device to multiple products, the B&O app doesn’t see it as a multi room session. A minor issue to me though.
Alternatively if you are streaming Apple Music to an Edge for example, you can join the TV setup using your BV11 remote.
The only minor wrinkle with the B&O app is that if you are AirPlaying from an iOS device to multiple products, the B&O app doesn’t see it as a multi room session. A minor issue to me though.
Brill - thank you.
Just thinking out loud...and spare funds allowing.. I would like to get to - 1 speaker (possibly BS/2 or M5) in the kitchen, and then another speaker at the back of the living room (possibly A9 or Edge). Then maybe something like a BS1 or M5 in our bedroom upstairs. The BV11 (with BL9s) are at the front of the living room (quite a large room due to being an awkward L-shape). The kitchen speaker would get most of the use - unfortunately an A9 or Edge is just too big and awkward for this space. I hadn't thought of this before but... the missus would need full use of the speakers too - she also would stream through an iPhone SE and I'd add her onto whichever Music Streaming Service I decide on. We also listen to radio a lot so Tunein would get some use (I've got the Tunein app on my iPhone). I *think* I also read some good Google reviews of a radio station within Apple Music - Beats 1?
I do use Spotify premium but it’s for casual listening (car, dancing).
Quality is just not there. Compression is severely heard - yes it’s 320 kb/s - no stereo image, no depth, bland sound. Look elsewhere if you want quality.
My CDs and vinyl are much better. In France, Qobuz has 16/44 and 24/96 and that sounds good of course.
Jacques
Beats 1 has been a success up to a point i believe, but it does focus quite a bit on modern r'n'b and hip hop, so if that's not always going to be your thing, it may not be a mainstay.
I'd draw your attention to the recent (i believe) update that allows you Beoremote 1 (that you use with the BV11) to have some control over a BS2, A9 etc. It's limited this far to usual playback controls, but it also nice to be able to select from one of your TuneIn favourite lists - they're listed on the remote screen.
I have an A9 in my bedroom where there is also an Avant BV, so the remote is usually close by - and the capability described above i have certainly found useful, at least for radio. For music it's not much use beyond play/pause/ skip/ volume. Anyway, worth a mention.
LR2015: Thanks MM. What's a 'NL' out of interest? Also, is 'Connect' an alternative to AirPlay? Cheers guys... bear with me... I'm learning
Oh, sorry - NL is NetworkLink, which is the native, built in multiroom protocol of B&O.
When we say ‘Join in’, we mean we connect from one (NL-)device to what is playing on another and vice versa (using the Bang & Olufsen app, the physical button on the device or a BeoRemote One).
Your BV11 is a NL device (if set up correctly) and you can join in there to what is playing on whatever other (NL) device you buy e.g. from an M5....
TuneIn is built in to all the NL audiosystems - and can therefore be used independently - no need for AirPlaying there.
(Your BV11 has a Netradio service too - which you could also join in to from e.g. the M5...).
Spotify uses (for the Premiun version) as service, where you control the stream, but this is fetched from the device itself = does not use a direct wifi connection between say an iPad and the M5 - the iPad can be used for something else, once the stream is initiated....or be turned off.
Note: some of the NL devices do not support Spotify Connect.
Feel free to ask again.
tph: LR2015: Spotify's Gapless Playback is cool. I can't believe the other MSS don't offer this, yet! Apple Music definitely has gapless playback.
Would be fine if so.
However, that is what I always have learnt.
I googled a recent article from Macworld (february 2018) - this is what I read:
’Gapless playback and crossfade options are common to music apps like Spotify and even iTunes, but absent on the Apple Music app.’.
As I am not an Apple Music user, I am not able to test this.
Millemissen: Would be fine if so. However, that is what I always have learnt. I googled a recent article from Macworld (february 2018) - this is what I read: ’Gapless playback and crossfade options are common to music apps like Spotify and even iTunes, but absent on the Apple Music app.’. As I am not an Apple Music user, I am not able to test this. MM
I am, and have tested. There is no option for gapless playback because it is always on – this goes all the way back to 2006 and the traditional iPods
Sandyb: Beats 1 has been a success up to a point i believe, but it does focus quite a bit on modern r'n'b and hip hop, so if that's not always going to be your thing, it may not be a mainstay. I'd draw your attention to the recent (i believe) update that allows you Beoremote 1 (that you use with the BV11) to have some control over a BS2, A9 etc. It's limited this far to usual playback controls, but it also nice to be able to select from one of your TuneIn favourite lists - they're listed on the remote screen. I have an A9 in my bedroom where there is also an Avant BV, so the remote is usually close by - and the capability described above i have certainly found useful, at least for radio. For music it's not much use beyond play/pause/ skip/ volume. Anyway, worth a mention.
Thanks again Sandy. I don't mind a bit of r'n'b as long as it's not tooooo cheesy Getting bit old for this gangsta rap stuff!
Millemissen: Oh, sorry - NL is NetworkLink, which is the native, built in multiroom protocol of B&O. When we say ‘Join in’, we mean we connect from one (NL-)device to what is playing on another and vice versa (using the Bang & Olufsen app, the physical button on the device or a BeoRemote One). Your BV11 is a NL device (if set up correctly) and you can join in there to what is playing on whatever other (NL) device you buy e.g. from an M5.... TuneIn is built in to all the NL audiosystems - and can therefore be used independently - no need for AirPlaying there. (Your BV11 has a Netradio service too - which you could also join in to from e.g. the M5...). Spotify uses (for the Premiun version) as service, where you control the stream, but this is fetched from the device itself = does not use a direct wifi connection between say an iPad and the M5 - the iPad can be used for something else, once the stream is initiated....or be turned off. Note: some of the NL devices do not support Spotify Connect. Feel free to ask again. MM
Ah, gotcha! Thanks MM
tph: Millemissen: Would be fine if so. However, that is what I always have learnt. I googled a recent article from Macworld (february 2018) - this is what I read: ’Gapless playback and crossfade options are common to music apps like Spotify and even iTunes, but absent on the Apple Music app.’. As I am not an Apple Music user, I am not able to test this. MM I am, and have tested. There is no option for gapless playback because it is always on – this goes all the way back to 2006 and the traditional iPods
Thanks for testing - good to know 👍