4 Reasons Why Streaming Services Sound Different, Even at the Same Bitrate

There’s more to streaming than just bitrates.

If streaming services offer lossless audio at the same bitrate, they should sound identical, right? After all, digital audio is just data, whether it’s streamed from Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, or Apple Music.

However, many audiophiles and casual listeners report noticeable sound differences between streaming platforms. But why would this happen if the audio files are the same?

The answer lies in a mix of technical and perceptual factors. In this article, we’ll break down the real reasons why streaming services sound different even at the same bitrate, and whether it’s just a case of expectation bias.

1. Streaming Services Process Audio Differently

Streaming platforms process your audio files before they reach your ears. And, the way each service handles this processing can create subtle differences in sound, even when streaming at the same bitrate.

One key factor is Digital Signal Processing (DSP). Some platforms, like Qobuz, avoid DSP entirely, while others apply subtle alterations.

Tidal previously used MQA, which required special decoding and could alter playback depending on the device. Since switching to FLAC, however, Tidal now delivers a more consistent sound across setups.

Apple Music and Amazon Music use standard lossless formats (ALAC and FLAC, respectively). But, they each have their own approach to loudness normalization and buffering that can affect the final sound.

Speaking of normalization, the way streaming services handle volume also shapes what you hear.

Most platforms automatically normalize volume to keep songs at similar levels. Tidal combines ReplayGain with LUFS-based normalization, whereas Apple Music and Spotify rely solely on LUFS. However, this normalization can often affect the music’s dynamic range.

That’s why Qobuz doesn’t normalize volume at all. Some audiophiles have noted that some music sounds more dynamic in Qobuz than on other platforms.

However, turning off normalization in any service eliminates these differences.

Beyond that, even the operating system plays a role. On Windows, DirectSound resamples audio if the system’s sample rate doesn’t match. The same happens with macOS Core Audio unless you adjust settings in Audio MIDI Setup.

2. Different Platforms Have Different Masters

The same song can sound different across streaming platforms because they may use different master recordings.

Record labels, not streaming services, decide which versions are distributed. So, one platform may have an older master while another offers a remastered version with different tonal balance and dynamics.

The thing is, mastering shapes every aspect of how music sounds.

Engineers use EQ adjustments, compression, and dynamic range tweaks to craft the final version. These choices can make one version feel open and natural while another sounds more aggressive or compressed.

For example, the “Loudness War” led to heavily compressed remasters that sacrificed dynamic range. This made some tracks sound more fatiguing compared to earlier versions.

These differences become even more noticeable with classic albums that have been remastered multiple times.

Unfortunately, while Qobuz and Tidal show detailed mastering information in the metadata, Apple Music and Spotify provide minimal details.

Meaning, most listeners compare different masters without realizing it. They think one service sounds better than another when they’re actually hearing different versions of their favorite songs.

3. Your Setup Might Be Tricking You

Even when streaming services offer the same lossless audio, what you hear isn’t just about the platform. Your audio gear can also make streaming services sound noticeably different from each other.

Of course, the quality of your setup makes a difference too. A high-end DAC and amp may highlight subtle differences between streaming platforms. Meanwhile, a basic setup may make them sound nearly identical.

This explains all those heated arguments online about which service sounds better. Someone listening through their top-shelf system catches details that another person’s simpler equipment misses completely.

Basically, streaming services themselves don’t change based on your gear, but your gear can shape how you perceive those differences.

4. You May Be a Victim of the Placebo Effect

People naturally hear what they expect to hear.

So, if Qobuz has a reputation for being “audiophile-friendly,” someone might believe it sounds better than Apple Music. When in reality, the actual difference is minimal or nonexistent.

This isn’t just speculation; expectation bias is a well-documented phenomenon in psychoacoustics.

Blind listening tests have put this to the test, and the results aren’t flattering for “golden ears”.

Beyond expectation bias, the power of suggestion also shapes perception. A streaming app with a sleek, premium design can make users believe it sounds better, even if the audio files are identical.