Spotify Hi-Fi Hangs by a Thread After the Platform Scraps ‘Supremium’ Plan

Spotify Hi-Fi was originally set to be released with the Supremium plan.
Spotify Hi-Fi was originally set to be released with the Supremium plan.

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Spotify survey reveals people are not willing to pay more for the Supremium plan.

Spotify has decided to scrap its plans for a “Supremium” subscription tier after testing revealed a lack of willingness among users to pay additional charges for this service.

Alongside this development, the disappearance of Spotify’s Hi-Fi announcement video has sparked widespread speculation about the potential cancellation of the Hi-Fi project.

For reference, Spotify HiFi was first announced in February 2021 and was rumored to be released at the end of 2023 along with the Supremium Plan. However, the project still hasn’t materialized.

Spotify Struggles to Persuade Users That Supremium Is Worth the Money

Spotify leads in the audio streaming industry with a 30% market share and over 600 million users. But despite dominating the market, Spotify struggles to translate its vast user base into steady profits.

To address this, the company has been making changes in its platform to increase its revenue. For example, they’re trying to go beyond music, delving into podcasts and audiobooks to increase its reach.

The proposed “Supremium” tier was part of these efforts. This intended to offer lossless audio quality and additional perks like AI playlist-making tools and more hours of audiobook listening.

Spotify Supremium offers based on Chris Messina, the inventor of the hashtag. (From: Threads/Chris)
Spotify Supremium offers based on Chris Messina, the inventor of the hashtag. (From: Threads/Chris)

Priced around $20 per month, it aimed to be a step up from the standard Premium Plan, priced at $10.99 monthly.

However, when surveyed, users responded negatively to the idea of paying more for these services.

Survey invitation that some Spotify users received last year. (From: Reddit)
Survey invitation that some Spotify users received last year. (From: Reddit)
Spotify didn’t reveal when this survey was conducted. But some Reddit users point out a survey invitation from Spotify around 7 months ago.

This response has forced Spotify to rethink its strategy in a market where its competitors, like Apple Music and Amazon Music, offer high-quality streaming as part of their standard packages.

User Reactions on the News Support Spotify’s Survey Results

The decision to scrap the “Supremium” plan has elicited a range of reactions from Spotify’s user base. While a few expressed disappointment, most are relieved and approve of Spotify’s decision to listen to its customers.

Users point out that Spotify should focus on the platform’s core offering – music. They remain skeptical about the value of add-on features of the Supremium plan that may not directly enhance the music listening experience.

User TimmyGUNZ, for instance, articulates this sentiment clearly.

He said, “Spotify ignores that their customers are there for music first and foremost and everything else is just secondary. There are better services for audiobooks, better services for podcasts, and there will be better services for any other type of non-music product that they roll out.”
Users share skepticism about Supremium's value (From: Reddit)
Users share skepticism about Supremium’s value (From: Reddit)

Another user, Bensastian, echoed a similar stance.

“Supremium was always a losing offering. Its key feature comes standard with their primary competitors (Apple and Amazon), so it’s no surprise to learn that users reacted negatively to a price bump.” says Bensastian.
Users comparing Spotify's Supremium with regular offers of other streaming platforms. (From: Reddit)
Users comparing Spotify’s Supremium with regular offers of other streaming platforms. (From: Reddit)

This comment suggests that from a user perspective, the additional features proposed under the “Supremium” tier were not compelling enough to justify a higher subscription cost.

Speculation Over Spotify Hi-Fi’s Uncertain Future Grows

Spotify Hi-Fi's announcement video was made private or is unavailable on YouTube.
Spotify Hi-Fi’s announcement video was made private or is unavailable on YouTube.

The recent decision by Spotify to shelve its proposed “Supremium” plan has led to widespread user speculation about the future of its Hi-Fi project. This deepened with the removal of Spotify’s Hi-Fi announcement video.

Users have voiced various theories and sentiments regarding the situation.

Some users, like Skestu, have taken the video’s removal as a sign that the Hi-Fi project might be canceled.

Skestu, posting on subreddit r/truespotify, noted, “Video was linked here and has been since privated/deleted… Pretty sure this most likely confirms that it has been cancelled.”
Redditor shares speculation over the removed Hi-Fi announcement video (From: Reddit)
Redditor shares speculation over the removed Hi-Fi announcement video (From: Reddit)

On the other hand, there are those who remain hopeful. For example, a user named TimmyGUNZ expressed his optimism.

He said, “HiFi is definitely coming at some point… I actually think taking that video down is a good sign that perhaps they’re refreshing their HiFi announcement content and we can see something about it soon.”

Another user also suggested that this can mean that they are simply preparing for a new promotional video coming out soon. She says they must’ve removed the video to not confuse the users.

Optimistic users talking about possible new promotions to replace the removed video. (From: Reddit)
Optimistic users talking about possible new promotions to replace the removed video. (From: Reddit)

However, patience among users seems to be waning. Some users are even considering fully switching over to other music streaming platforms, citing disappointment with the delay in the Hi-Fi tier’s release.

Reflecting the growing impatience, DerDrewSeratto, says “I unsubscribed from Spotify after a long wait for this ‘HiFi’ Tier… I will continue to use Tidal instead.”
Users losing patience over waiting for the Spotify Hi-Fi tier (From: Reddit)
Users losing patience over waiting for the Spotify Hi-Fi tier (From: Reddit)

💬 Conversation: 2 comments

  1. Yep, it is time to move on. Will now migrate over to Qobuz. The only hope for Lossless Spotify is when the company is acquired by Apple (most likely) as Spotify sinks further in market value with its lack of profitability.

  2. I’m pissed.
    As an audiophile, I cannot stream lossless audio from spotify.
    Spotify in its current format sounds great on $200.00 ear buds or cheap Bluetooth speaker, but stream spotify on a decent sound system, it sounds like ass.
    I’ll be looking for an alternative…..I’m tired of waiting.

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