Tidal music service is already a spectacular flop

Interesting stats and certainly some truth in the reasons behind it - not that I'm paticularly interested in Tidal anyway but that laughable launch confirmed it's a no go for me. Happy with spotify and using it as a  'try before you buy' service so no issues over what they may or may not be paying the artists.  

I am totally with you. 

Although this is slightly off topic, but still related. I have 3 very close friends aged 35-45 (I mention age just in case someone assumes they're in their 80's and deaf) with Naim equipment who on separate occasions (and with a certain level of embarrassment) have told me that they really struggle to find differences (let alone improvements) between Spotify (320Kbps) and their own CD rips when listening to their systems. My bet that this is the case with A LOT of people owning high end kit but for some reason they feel daft admitting it. The Emperor's new clothes syndrome at its best.

I guess the point I am trying to make is that for a lot of people (Naim owners included) and on most circumstances Spotify will be everything they'll/we'll ever need

Yes, that Tidal launch, or re-launch, really was quite comical, wasn't it.  However, the situation still seems potentially catastrophic in the Qobuz camp too, which for me is very bad news.  I read recently that they are still seeking, and in need of investment, and their continuation at present is down to securing an extension on their bankruptcy protection until mid-June this year.  As someone who really does hear the benefit from Qobuz lossless over Slopify 320 (I should stop calling them that, the quality and service is actually pretty good), I will be very upset if they don't make it.

Lossless streaming, particularly in the UK is expensive, I don't care, it's worth it for me, but I suspect that if Qobuz don't make it, I will go back to Spotify for internet streaming, at least for a time until things settle down.  They will probably introduce lossless streaming themselves eventually anyway, and if they produce decent software to go with it, well, I'll breath a sigh of relief and subscribe.  Apart from Qobuz, no one has managed to deliver what I am prepared to pay £20 per month for to date.  

I too wasn't that impressed with Tidal when I tried it. Certainly not enough to regularly part with the cash every month. Qobuz shaded it for me quality wise but I don't feel the need to use them either, apart from the odd download.

Tidal was never going to be able to compete with Spotify, Deezer and to try was madness. I felt the previous owners/management understood this and were carefully trying to craft and position the kind of service audiophiles would be prepared to pay for. Whether or not they would have been successful we won't know, but I have a strong impression that post the relaunch of Tidal by Jay Z, they have no chance.

In the 2 Apple App stores I use; UK and Switzerland, Spotify and Deezer are the 1 and 2 top grossing music apps. 

I'm listening, at this very moment, to Eric Bibb a spectacularly recorded blues album through Tidal.   Just because Tidal is substantially owned by artists I absolutely hate, the selection and quality is very, very good. I haven't fired up my CD player in weeks. 

I would not count them out. As much as I personally dislike the owners music, they are smart business people as well, apparently.  The more diverse the listener, the more likely they are to succeed with a broader base of subscribers.   Teenage money spends just like elder money and I'm an expert in this field.  I have two twenty something daughters

the articles main point that the failure of a relaunced app can be seen after about  6 weeks is laughable! If Spotify is good enough for us  then why care about cd streaming, just by mp3 files in the future.  Some music may workin 320 mp3, but not all music. At some point  I will have to compare spotify to my local Naim server rips. I have tried with what is now known as Tidal running on a Squeezebox and that was close, and  on some tracks my guess is that spotify can come close to. However there is always a kind of closed sound on mp3s hard to describe but mp3 files works best with tracks that does not have to much trebel.

Claus

Tidal, as a product, is where we're all heading at. Prices need to drop.

One of the first things that caught my attention in Tidal's message when you download the trial app was that they put the onus on your hardware. Basically they ask you to suck and see if you can tell the difference with your current kit to determine if Tidal is right for you. I thought that was a good and honest approach. At the same time, they were shooting themselves on the foot. What percentage of people that consume music have 1) the equipment that will allow them to tell the difference 2) how many of these care to pay twice for that 'difference'

Wher is Tidal's "shop window"? I cannot 'see' what they have to offer, in either catalogue, library or service, and there is no option to change language. I tried allsorts to look at their wares but no dice (unlike Qobuz who I didn't need to create an account to understand or assess)

I don't use Tidal or Qobuz presently - waiting for the Naim streamer implementation. And waiting.

Anyway, moving on swiftly, I found the Tidal launch to be a triumph of egos with no understanding of the customer. They focused on 'the artists' (ie themselves) and took no account of what my needs might be. Yes, I believe all artists should be paid for their efforts, but my sympathy runs out a bit when dealing with super-rich celebs. Given a choice of lossless streaming services, I would choose another one based on that launch.

It seems I'm not alone.

I felt the same way about Spotify when I trialed it. I arrived at the landing page and didn't really know what to do next. I felt it was hard to use. Many times it's what you start with and get used to using. I was a MOG subscriber early on and compare Spotify and MOG SQ to be similar. Tidal is superior to both in SQ. I'll grant you I haven't tried Deezer or Quoboz but will if they offer a free trial period. 

Solid Air, I'm with you. Their arrogance is astonishing but the product and quality is stellar unless they start mucking around with it. They did add a new lower priced subscription tiermot offer the service to more people. 

The mainstream technology press has concluded that as far as music is concerned 320kbps MP3 is enough and the prevailing narrative is that you are a fool to want anything better. Sadly this even includes better quality publications like Ars Technica. Unfortunately Tidal played right in to this narative with the glitzy relaunched simply reinforcing it.

The reaction to the relaunch was universally negative, with many write-ups implying Tidal was a con. Most of what I read either mentioned the USD 10 plan as an afterthought or not at all. I think there is a risk the brand has gone toxic in the eyes of many. 

Its its a real shame, because Tidal appeared to be doing a lot right. As far as companies like Naim are concerned it highlights that a flexible approach to adding a removing streaming services as they come and go is important. 

Spotify's sound quality was only ever 320 with their premium service, Tidal is lossless, superb sound quality, I haven't played my 'own' music in months.

H

The original linked article is clickbait, IMHO.

On this side of the pond, I know very few hi-fi industry people who aren't rolling around with TIDAL on their phones or on their equipment in the listening room.

I love Pandora too, and it also sounds demonstrably better than Spotify....

+1 on not needing to play my own music,  but only because I have Qobuz - I had Spotify on a 3 month trial but it just wasn't good enough for proper listening.

+1

Just tried to watch the launch ceremony? again on Youtube, to see if it was as bad as I remember the few minutes worth I tolerated the first time being.  Yeah, it is.  I managed to sustain about 6 minutes this time before my skin started to burn too much.  It's make me cringe so much, I just can't take it.  Possibly the most ill conceived and poorly executed piece of PR I have witnessed.  

Spotify sound quality is poor compared to Tidal and Qobuz.

I lost one whole week of my HiFi life trying to accept Spotify but in the end I just got rid of it.  I should have done it on day one.

Bobby

I just watched the whole launch. So compelling is its awfulness that you get sucked in to a vortex of strange uncomfortableness. It induced feelings I've never encountered...The 'whooping', the fidgety stares, the 'what am I doing here' faces...sheer post-modern brilliance...or possibly not.

G

I agree 320kbps MP3 can sound ok for casual listening, but of course Spotify doesn't use MP3, it uses Ogg Vorbis, and to my ears whether it's Spotify's implementation of just the codec itself, it just sounds bad.. 

If I am going to use lossy 320kbps, then give me MP3 any day, AAC often sounds ok, but Spotify's Ogg Vorbis just sounds wrong.. MP3 via Qobuz and Tidal sounds so much better than Ogg Vorbis from Spotify... 

Simon

You have to ask yourself, just who was that launch aimed at?  The consumer that loves pop music, and idols Jay-Z, or Beyonce (pww, ten years ago maybe)?  Eh, no. The consumer who loves great music?  Umm, no.  People making great music?  Erm, no.  Multi-millionaire musicians (loose term) who feel hard done by?  Possibly.

There are those that believe, and I know some personally, if you can't make the kind of money, a life time earning to the average household, from one single followed by an album, that the music industry will be over.  There will be no new bands, no new musicians, that's the end.  I don't agree with this theory.  If when you set out to create music, money is the primary drive, chances are it will be shite.  That is not the point.  It is art, that stirs the soul, that can make you smile, laugh, cry, and even ruin your day,  I quite like the works of some artists that featured on the stage, but I have no less love, and often more,  for many artists that are far removed from the mainstream fame and wealth that these people enjoy.  I actually think that the new model of streaming, giving access to everything for a fixed fee, may level the playing field a bit, between hype, catchy, cash driven artists, and those that make real music with passion.  It certainly has broadened my musical horizon.

I agree, streaming is or has the potential to be a great democratiser..