Quboz is a European streaming service that includes high-resolution audio options up to 24-bit/192kHz. The company provides a choice of four streaming levels that cost between $100 to $300 per year. Qobuz, a high-resolution streaming service, has publicly launched in the U.S this week.
Qobuz is a hybrid streaming service and download store boasting approximately 40 million CD-quality (16-bit) tracks. It also hosts millions of Hi-Res (24-bit/ 192 kHz) tracks, making it one of the largest collections of Hi-Res audio available via streaming.
Launching in Europe more than a decade ago, the company says it has been serving “music connoisseurs” since 2007, and now U.S. consumers will have the ability to subscribe to the service.
According to the company in a press statement, “Qobuz is poised to capitalize on the modern developments making high-quality audio available to a fast-widening audience looking for a higher-level listening experience. Improvements in bandwidth speed and Internet infrastructure and the introduction of affordable speakers and audio equipment represent an accessibility tipping point in the growing high-end audio market.”
Qobuz High-Resolution Streaming Options
Qobuz says it will provide these benefits to its U.S-based customers:
- Streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz or about 29 times the quality of an MP3 file.
- Qobuz provides the option to stream offline through downloads of an unlimited amount of music on all devices including mobile products and desktop computers.
- The service offers a parallel high-resolution download store with files for purchase that include options to deliver revenues back to content creators such as premium pricing for high-resolution masters.
- Other benefits include exclusive, curated, and editorial content, as well as detailed metadata, complete digital booklets, interactive articles, reviews and playlists in-app on every platform.
Related: Why Hi-Res Audio is ‘Holy Grail’ of Multiroom Audio Solutions
Denis Thébaud, owner and chairman of Qobuz, says the company is confident U.S. consumers will find the service valuable.
“I am very proud of our United States launch. Our teams have been working brilliantly for over a year with our recording and publishing partners to get to this point. I am convinced that what we have to offer, on both the streaming and download markets, will be a success amongst American music lovers,” comments Thébaud.
The company offers a choice of subscription levels:
- Sublime+ is a $300 per year option providing full high-resolution streaming and substantial (40 to 60 percent) discounts on purchases from the Qobuz Hi-Res (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) download store.
- Studio is a $25 per month solution for unlimited high-resolution (24-bit/up to 192 kHz) streaming ($250 annually).
- Hi-Fi is $20 per month for streaming, including 16-bit CD quality streaming ($200 annually).
- Premium is the basic service tier at $10 per month for 320 kbps MP3 quality streaming ($100 annually).
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