When it comes to music streaming platforms, YouTube Music sets itself apart with a diverse selection of unreleased tracks, covers, and remixes that you won’t find anywhere else. Despite this, its audio quality has sparked debate. Critics point out that YouTube Music might offer a lower bit rate compared to rivals. Nevertheless, many users believe its sound quality is exceptional—louder, richer, and more dynamic. In this article, we’ll examine the audio quality provided by YouTube Music, how to optimize your listening experience, and compare it to other top music streaming services.
- Part 1: How Is YouTube Music Audio Quality?
- Part 2: How to Change YouTube Music Quality Settings?
- Part 3: YouTube Music Audio Quality Compared with Other Services
Part 1: How Is YouTube Music Audio Quality?
YouTube Music Audio Quality
When it comes to enjoying your favorite tunes, audio quality is key. YouTube Music understands this and offers three distinct levels of audio quality to suit your listening needs. Whether you’re streaming or downloading, you can choose between Low (48 Kbps AAC), Normal (128 Kbps), and High quality (256 Kbps) settings. For those who refuse to compromise on sound, the Always High option ensures top-notch audio even in poor network conditions. Although YouTube Music currently doesn’t offer lossless audio, Premium members enjoy the full range of audio options both online and offline. Free users, meanwhile, have access to the Low and Normal settings on the desktop web player.
- Low: 48kbps AAC & OPUS
- Normal: up to 128kbps AAC & OPUS
- High: up to 256kbps AAC & OPUS
- Always High: maintains High quality(256kbps) even with a poor network connection
YouTube Music Audio Format
YouTube Music uses two main audio formats for streaming:
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is a popular audio codec known for effectively compressing audio files while maintaining high sound quality. This versatile codec is the default format for YouTube Music, providing a smooth and immersive listening experience with every track.
Opus is a modern audio codec designed specifically for internet streaming and communication. It delivers excellent audio quality at lower bitrates compared to other codecs.
Part 2: How to Change YouTube Music Quality Settings
YouTube Music Premium members can select the bitrate at which music is streamed and downloaded. If you haven’t selected a quality setting, it will automatically be set to the “Normal” bitrate for your location.
Step 1 In the YouTube Music app, tap on your profile picture.
Step 2 Go to Settings > Playback & restrictions > Audio quality.
Step 3 Select audio quality between Low, Normal, High and Always High.
Part 3: YouTube Music Audio Quality Compared with Others
When comparing YouTube Music to other streaming services in terms of sound quality, it’s crucial to consider the audio compression methods they use. YouTube Music relies on AAC-compressed audio, which can sometimes result in a noticeable loss of detail and clarity. This becomes particularly evident when compared to lossless audio streams offered by Apple Music, Tidal, or Deezer, where every nuance of the music is preserved. Interestingly, not all streaming services provide lossless audio; for instance, Spotify streams at a bitrate of 320kbps. In theory, Spotify’s higher bitrate could deliver a more defined and clear sound compared to YouTube Music’s 256kbps, allowing listeners to experience a song’s full intricacy.
| Service | Free Account | Paid Account |
| YouTube Music | 128 kbps AAC | 256kbps AAC |
| Spotify | 160kbps AAC | 320kbps OGG |
| Apple Music | ❌ | Windows: 256Kbps AAC Mac: Hi-Res Lossless (24-bit/192 kHz) ALAC |
| Amazon Music | ❌ | Prime: 256kbps MP3 Unlimited: Ultra HD 3730kbps (24-bit/192kHz) FLAC |
| TIDAL | ❌ | HiRes 9216kbps (24-bit/192kHz) FLAC |
| Deezer | 128kbps MP3 | HiFi 1411kbps (16-bit/44.1 kHz) FLAC |
| Qobuz | ❌ | HiRes (24-bit/192kHz) FLAC |
| Pandora | 64kbps AAC+ | 192kbps MP3 |