Tidal Integration vs Tidal Bluetooth

[-0-coach-0-]

For some background, I was using Amazon Music and became frustrated by the lack of an integrated app like Spotify and Tidal. So, I moved to Tidal this week to give it a try as I want the higher audio playback that Spotify does not offer. I found that the integrated app for Tidal is very quiet compared to Amazon Music (same song at 15-17). So I used the Tidal app on my phone with Bluetooth and the full sound and volume were there, unlike the integrated app. Have others noticed this or found a way to get the full volume out of the integrated app?

Sponsored

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

I haven't noticed this. For some songs they are quieter in volume but that happens both on the app and on the integrated Tidal. I use the integrated Tidal app almost exclusively and I've been very happy with the quality and the volume. If you do notice an issue, you can do the infotainment reset by holding down the left, most steering wheel button and the rightmost steering wheel button until the screens go black. This issue sometimes repeats itself after every software update. What I've noticed is that some of the audio channels seem to be missing but the reboot always fixes it.

 

[tate16t]

Doesn’t Spotify offer higher audio playback as well? I just tried Spotify a few days back. I used my wife’s account and it worked in the Rivian but I’m not sure it’s the higher audio playback. We tried the same account in our Tesla it stated a Premium account was required. I guess the Premium account enables higher audio playback?

 

[-0-coach-0-]

Doesn’t Spotify offer higher audio playback as well? I just tried Spotify a few days back. I used my wife’s account and it worked in the Rivian but I’m not sure it’s the higher audio playback. We tried the same account in our Tesla it stated a Premium account was required. I guess the Premium account enables higher audio playback?

Spotify doesn't have a Hi-Fi or lossless level at this point, even though it has been promised since 2021. It has a max of 320Kbps while Tidal is 1440 Kpbs and Amazon Music is 3730 Kpbs.

https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/streaming/best-music-streaming-services

 

[KootenayEV]

I use the integrated Tidal when I'm in cell range and switch to Bluetooth off my iPhone for Tidal when going over mountain passes out of cell range. I haven't noticed a difference in volume between the two.

I do wish the integrated Tidal had a 'Like' button though like it does in my Tesla.

 

[tate16t]

Sounds like Tidal is preferred I guess due to its quality?

 

[josh0]

I don’t know about the volume issue, but if you’re concerned with audio quality, the built-in app is definitely the way to go. Bluetooth does not have sufficient bandwidth to transmit full quality, lossless audio.

 

[DoubleTake]

I tried tidal but the integrated app is awful compared to Spotify. I constantly had issues with it not working. Spotify may have slightly worse audio quality but at least it works flawlessly for me

 

[defcon888]

I have heard of Tidal but have not used it as a standalone app or an integrated app.

Does it offer PODCASTS?. That is mainly what I listen to and sound quality isn't that important to me. I do also listen to music, but I find the quality of Spotify to be great...but then again, I haven't tried Tidal and when I used to rip my CDs I would always rip at 320.

 

[-0-coach-0-]

I don’t know about the volume issue, but if you’re concerned with audio quality, the built-in app is definitely the way to go. Bluetooth does not have sufficient bandwidth to transmit full quality, lossless audio.

I think I have figured out the issue. I think the integrated app has sound normalization built in and can't be turned off like the regular app. When I had the sound normalization on the phone app, it limited the output of all songs, hence the need to increase the volume. Once I run Tidal through Alexa, the sound is much better, and the overall volume is much better for most songs. Tidal could use some work with their integrated app. I wish Spotify would release the hi-fi tier.

Sponsored