If you are someone who uses Amazon Music instead of Spotify because you want to enjoy lossless music in Hi-Res, then you should make sure that you have the app correctly configured to play audio in the highest possible resolution. And it is that, by default, the Amazon music app plays the songs in “SD” or standard quality that, although it consumes fewer data, is not as good as “HD” or “Ultra HD” quality.
So, if you want to get the most out of the Amazon Music app on your smartphone or PC, you have to change the audio quality manually as we will explain below. It won’t take you more than two minutes and you only have to do it once.
Understanding Audio Quality on Amazon Music
Having a solid understanding of how audio quality is delivered on Amazon Music is essential before we can dive into strategies for improving audio quality. Depending on your subscription plan and device compatibility, Amazon Music offers various audio quality options, from Standard Quality to Ultra HD.
In Amazon Music, the standard audio quality provides a balance between file size and sound quality. However, if you want a more immersive and detailed audio experience, you can choose higher-quality options.
What audio quality does Amazon Music have?
Amazon Music currently offers five different audio qualities that differ in sample rate, bit depth, or even format as you can see below:
- Ultra HD – 24-bit/ 96kHz Hi-Res quality in FLAC format.
- HD – 16-bit/ 44.1kHz CD quality in FLAC format.
- SD: Standard 320 kbps quality with compression.
- Dolby Atmos – is an immersive audio format that puts you in the centre of the music. It creates a 3D sound field and is intended for Home Theaters.
- 360 Reality Audio – is an alternative to Dolby Atmos.
How to change the audio quality on Amazon Music
Now that you know all the audio options that Amazon Music offers you, join us to learn how to switch between one and the other whenever you want.
From the phone
To improve the audio quality in the Amazon Music mobile app, just do the following:
- Enter the Amazon Music app.
- Press the cogwheel that is in the upper right corner.
- Select Music Settings.
- In the Playback section, select Streaming Quality.
- You can choose the audio quality for playback with WiFi or mobile data. If you want the best of the best, select HD / Ultra HD. You can also choose “Best available” if you want the app to automatically select the best quality that your Internet connection can reproduce.
- Tap Save and you’re done.
Thus, all songs will be played in the chosen audio quality (as long as it is available). Keep in mind that there may be songs that have not been mastered or that are not on Amazon Music with the quality that you want. During playback, you can see the audio quality being used by opening the player and looking at the label above the song title. You can click that label for more information.
From PC
If you use Amazon Music on your PC, you can change the audio quality of the application very easily by following these steps:
- Open the Amazon Music app on your computer.
- Tap your user icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on Settings.
- In the Playback section, select Audio Quality. Choose the one you want and that’s it.
That’s all! Remember that you can always check the quality of the audio you are playing on Amazon Music by looking at the label that appears near the name of the song.
What data speed does my internet connection need to listen to Amazon Music in HD?
At a minimum, you need a stable 1.5 Mbps Internet connection to stream Amazon Music HD music. You can achieve this without problems with the 4G LTE connectivity of almost any operator and with most WiFi connections. Ultra HD streaming requires a faster connection of at least 5 Mbps.
- HD – Can consume up to 5.5MB per minute.
- Ultra HD – With the highest audio quality available (192 kHz sample rate), uses up to 12 MB per minute.
Therefore, when you are using limited mobile data, it is recommended that you use the standard audio quality that consumes about 2 MB per minute.
Enhancing Audio Quality with External Hardware
Besides optimizing the settings within the Amazon Music app, you can further improve the audio quality by leveraging external hardware. Here are some recommendations:
High-Quality headphones
A high-quality pair of headphones can significantly enhance your Amazon Music experience. Look for headphones with a wide frequency response range and accurate sound reproduction.
Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs).
By connecting a DAC to your device, you can bypass the internal DAC and take advantage of a dedicated audio converter, which ensures higher fidelity and better sound quality.
Amplifiers
You can improve the quality of your audio by amplifying it with an amplifier, such as a headphone amplifier or a dedicated external amplifier.
Leveraging High-Resolution Audio
By streaming high-resolution audio on Amazon Music, you can enjoy a more immersive and detailed listening experience. Here’s how you can access high-resolution audio on Amazon Music:
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Make sure you have a subscription plan that supports high-resolution audio.
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On the album or track listings, look for the “HD” or “Ultra HD” label.
Enjoy enhanced audio quality by selecting the high-resolution audio option.
Troubleshooting Common Audio Quality Issues
In spite of optimizing your audio settings and leveraging external hardware, you may still encounter some issues with Amazon Music. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you fix these problems:
Buffering or Stuttering Playback
It may be due to a poor internet connection or network congestion if you experience buffering or stuttering during playback. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this problem:
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Make sure that you have a stable and high-speed internet connection by using an online speed test tool.
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For a more stable connection, move closer to your router or consider connecting your device directly to the router using an Ethernet cable if you’re using Wi-Fi.
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Be sure to close any other applications or devices that might be taking up a significant amount of your internet bandwidth.
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The Amazon Music app should be relaunched after restarting your device.
Audio Distortion or Imbalance
It might be due to incorrect EQ settings or a faulty audio output if you notice audio distortion or imbalance. Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
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To improve the quality of the audio, double-check the EQ settings within the Amazon Music app. Reset the EQ settings to default or experiment with different presets.
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Ensure that any external hardware you are using, such as headphones or DACs, is properly connected and working. Try connecting them to a different device to rule out any problems with the hardware.
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Be sure to clean the audio ports and any audio connectors on your device to prevent the audio from being muffled.
Limited Audio Quality Options
There may be a problem with your subscription plan or device limitations if you are not able to access the desired audio quality on Amazon Music. Here are some tips:
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Get a better audio quality subscription with an Amazon Music subscription upgrade.
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You should check your device’s specifications to ensure it supports the desired audio quality. Consider upgrading your device if necessary.
Sharing and Implementing the Knowledge
As a result of learning how to improve audio quality on Amazon Music, it’s time to share your knowledge with others. By utilizing the strategies and tips outlined in this guide, you can help others enhance their audio experience further.
Please share this guide with your friends, family, and anyone who might benefit from optimizing their Amazon Music audio quality. Together, we can create a community of music fans who enjoy the highest quality audio.