Description

What is TIDAL?

TIDAL is a premium music streaming service offering a wide range of songs and podcasts. It was founded in 2014 by the Norwegian company Aspiro. However, after being acquired by American holding groups and receiving investments from major artists like Jay-Z, TIDAL quickly gained global popularity.
Today, TIDAL features over 70 million songs and 250,000 music videos, making it a vast platform for music lovers. The service is available in more than 61 countries worldwide, providing easy access to millions of tracks from all over the world.

What Makes TIDAL Different from Other Streaming Services?

While TIDAL may look similar to other streaming platforms like Spotify, it stands out in two significant ways:

1. Artist-Centric Approach: Unlike many music streaming services, TIDAL pays artists and creators more than most competitors, making it a more artist-friendly platform.
2. Superior Audio Quality: TIDAL offers the highest available audio quality compared to other services. While other platforms like Spotify have introduced high-quality streaming, TIDAL is still considered the best choice for audiophiles, especially if you have a sensitive ear for detail in music.

For most casual listeners, the difference in sound quality may not be immediately noticeable. However, if you’re an audiophile or someone who values high-quality sound, TIDAL will allow you to hear parts and beats of your favorite songs that you might have missed before.

If you’re using noise-canceling headphones or high-end home theater systems, you’ll get the best experience from TIDAL’s premium audio quality.

Audio Quality in TIDAL

One of the key selling points of TIDAL is its superior sound quality.

• TIDAL Masters: Through its partnership with MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), TIDAL allows you to stream tracks in Master Quality, which is essentially the original studio version of the song. These tracks have a bitrate of 9216 kbps, the highest available audio quality.
• MQA Technology: Thanks to MQA, you can listen to music in its full studio-quality form, which includes multi-dimensional sound formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio.

Look for the “MASTER” or “M” label on the song’s cover to know it’s available in TIDAL Masters quality.

Currently, millions of tracks are available in TIDAL Masters, although not all of the 70 million songs in its library offer this level of audio.

In addition to top-tier audio, TIDAL also offers high-definition music videos, concerts, and documentaries—far surpassing the quality you might find on platforms like YouTube.

Difference Between TIDAL HiFi and TIDAL HiFi Plus Accounts

The two primary subscription options on TIDAL are TIDAL HiFi and TIDAL HiFi Plus. Here’s how they compare:

• TIDAL HiFi: Streams songs at 1400 kbps, which is still high quality, but not as good as the HiFi Plus plan. With this plan, you can access unlimited songs, music videos, and ad-free streaming.
• TIDAL HiFi Plus: The HiFi Plus plan allows you to stream songs at 9216 kbps, the highest possible audio quality, delivering a studio-quality experience. You’ll be able to hear every detail in the music that standard streaming plans miss.

At MusicXtend, we recommend the TIDAL HiFi Plus plan for the best sound experience.

Key Features of TIDAL

• No interruptions: Enjoy uninterrupted, premium-quality music with no ads.
• High-quality sound: 30 times better sound than Spotify Premium.
• Music videos: Stream high-definition music videos in Master Quality.
• Offline listening: Download your favorite music for offline playback.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Works on all devices, including smartphones, computers, and more.
• Exclusive playlists: Enjoy curated playlists from famous artists and individuals.

TIDAL in New Zealand vs. USA Accounts

If you’re in New Zealand or the USA, you may notice some differences in how TIDAL operates:

• Release Times: Due to time zone differences, new songs and albums are released about one day earlier in New Zealand than in the USA.
• Master Quality Availability: Some Master Quality content may be more abundant in New Zealand than in the USA, offering a richer archive of TIDAL Masters for certain artists in that region.

TIDAL continues to differentiate itself in the crowded world of music streaming by offering high-quality audio and an artist-first approach. Whether you’re looking for lossless audio, exclusive content, or a platform that supports your favorite creators, TIDAL provides a premium experience for music enthusiasts worldwide.