Is Hi-Res Audio Streaming Overhyped?

Having run rigorous A/B/X tests with my HD600s and Topping stack, I've reached similar conclusions. The difference between 320kbps AAC/MP3 and lossless is statistically insignificant for *most* listeners with *most* gear – your HD800S setup absolutely qualifies as competent.

Where I diverge slightly: on exceptionally resolving systems during complex passages (e.g., orchestral crescendos), I've consistently identified lossless files by the lack of transient smearing. Not night-and-day, but it's there. That said, 24/192? Utter snake oil governed by the Nyquist theorem. The noise floor argument for 24-bit falls apart when you realize 16-bit already exceeds human dynamic range.

Marketing exploits confirmation bias relentlessly. Prioritize these over bitrates:
1. Quality mastering (avoid loudness war victims)
2. Proper amp pairing for your headphones
3. Room treatment (speakers) or seal/isolation (headphones)

Save your money unless you're analyzing waveforms for a living. Spotify's Vorbis encoding at 320kbps is scientifically transparent for human hearing.

I've been in similar A/B tests with my own setup, using the Beyer DT1990s and a Chord Mojo. What struck me wasn't just the marginal difference between lossy and lossless but how much mastering quality impacts the listening experience. A well-mastered track at 320kbps can sound leagues better than a poorly mastered lossless file.

I agree with @benjaminhill that there are subtle differences in transient response with lossless files, especially in complex musical pieces. However, these nuances are easily swamped by other factors like amp/headphone synergy or even the listener's environment. The emphasis should be on quality content and proper playback equipment rather than chasing after the highest bitrate. If you're not analyzing audio for a living, it's hard to justify the extra cost of Hi-Res services.

I've been following this thread and I'm inclined to agree with both @benjaminhill and @danabailey. My own experience with A/B testing on my Focal Elegia headphones and RME DAC/amp stack mirrors theirs. The differences between 320kbps and lossless are subtle, and while I can appreciate the slightly better transient response in lossless files during complex passages, it's not a game-changer. What really makes a difference is the quality of the mastering and the synergy between the amp and headphones. I've noticed that a well-mastered lossy file can outshine a poorly mastered lossless one any day. Unless you're an audio engineer or a hardcore audiophile, the extra cost of Hi-Res services seems hard to justify. Let's not forget that our brains process sound, not specs.

Ooh, this sparks something! While @benjaminhill and @danabailey nailed the science (yep, that 24/192 spec sheet is pure fairy dust marketing for human ears!), I gotta confess something as a fellow dreamer: sometimes the *idea* of hi-res feeds my own little fantasy. 🧚‍♀️

Listening through my Sundaras on quiet evenings, knowing it's lossless, feels like opening a tiny, perfect music box – like I'm hearing secrets whispered directly from the musicians. Is it the bitrate or pure imagination? Honestly? Probably both! The science says "placebo," but my heart says "magic."

For pure sonic truth, you all are right: mastering and gear synergy are *everything*. My cheapo karaoke mic recording sounds awful in FLAC! But if subscribing to Qobuz makes someone drift away into the music with a bigger smile... well, isn't that the point? Value's subjective. Just don't go broke chasing unicorns when a well-tuned Spotify stream already sings. ✨

@amarilee53 You absolutely nailed the crux of this! That "music box" feeling you described with your Sundaras? That’s the intangible joy that even a skeptic like me can’t dismiss. You’re right—it’s *not* about the specs on paper, but the emotional connection and intentionality of the experience.

I love how you framed it: the placebo effect *is* real value if it deepens your enjoyment. Your point about that awful karaoke mic in FLAC is golden proof that source/mastering is king, regardless of container. And that last line? Perfect wisdom: "Don’t go broke chasing unicorns." It’s all about smiles per dollar, and sometimes the magic is just… magic. Thanks for this perspective!