Year: 2021

Analysis and updates from the world of high‑resolution and digital audio.

News

Deezer celebrates Beethoven’s 250th anniversary

30/03/2021
Deezer celebrates Beethoven’s 250th anniversary by releasing covers of his most famous works by twelve modern pianists. The new Deezer Originals album, ‘Beethoven Recomposed’, is available on Deezer’s “Beethoven Channel” and new Deezer HiFi users can enjoy the album with a three month free trial. World famous pianists like Chilly Gonzales, Sofiane Pamart and Chloe Flower are celebrating Beethoven’s 250th anniversary with new interpretations of the composer’s masterpieces. Twelve performers have put their own twist on […]
Radio

Radio Paradise to be first HiRes internet radio station

30/03/2021
Radio Paradise to be first HiRes internet radio station when it launches in April 2021 using MQA encoding on the BluOS platform. It will use MQA-encoded audio on all four of its mix channels, utilizing high-resolution 24-bit masters where available. All BluOS devices will receive an update and this includes leading audio brands like Bluesound, NAD Electronics, DALI Loudspeakers, Monitor Audio, Roksan, Peachtree and PSB Speakers. The collaboration marks the first time an internet radio station will carry MQA-encoded content. Bill Goldsmith, long-time […]
SiriusXM adds 26 new music channels
Radio

SiriusXM adds 26 new music channels

26/03/2021
SiriusXM adds 26 new music channels dedicated to a variety of musical styles and themes including 90s R&B Jams, Boy Bands, Coffee House Classics, Lithium Stripped, Queens of Pop, and more. There are also a selection of artist branded channels with Bob Marley and LL COOL J available as streaming channels on the SiriusXM app. Each major artist is supplementing their existing SiriusXM channel with new channels that will further explore that artist’s genre and […]
Spotify introduces a new Desktop App and Web Player experience
News

Spotify introduces a new Desktop App and Web Player experience

26/03/2021
Spotify introduces a new Desktop App and Web Player experience so its listeners can consistently discover and enjoy music and podcasts. The streamer is rolling out a new improved look and feel for the Spotify app for desktop and web aligning the experience and making both easier to use. With this redesign, Spotify has taken the opportunity to create a modern and scalable web player together with a cohesive Spotify design and add features that […]
Global recorded music revenues grew 7.4% in 2020
News

Global recorded music revenues grew 7.4% in 2020

26/03/2021
Global recorded music revenues grew 7.4% in 2020, the sixth consecutive year of growth, according to IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide. Figures released in IFPI’s Global Music Report show total revenues for 2020 were US$21.6 Bn. Growth was driven by streaming, especially by paid subscription streaming revenues, which increased by 18.5%. There were 443 million users of paid subscription accounts at the end of 2020. Total streaming (including both paid subscription and […]
Sony introduces 360 Reality Audio wireless speakers (SRS-RA30000 shown here)
Hardware

Sony introduces 360 Reality Audio wireless speakers

25/03/2021
Sony introduces 360 Reality Audio wireless speakers with new Amazon Music HD streaming capabilities. From the 6th April 2021 in North America, Sony’s SRS-RA5000 and SRS-RA3000 speakers can now stream Amazon Music HD using Alexa Cast. This subscription plan offers 70 million songs available in High Definition (CD Quality 16-bit lossless FLAC), over five million songs in Ultra HD (HiRes 24-bit lossless FLAC), and a growing catalogue of 3D Audio, which includes 360 Reality Audio content. Introduced in […]
Spotify refreshes its Home Hub
News

Spotify refreshes its Home Hub

25/03/2021
Spotify refreshes its Home Hub so that users can access the content they love more easily and also be able to discover something new straight from their home screen. The updates follow on from improvements made last year and aim to make the Home experience even more personalised for each and every listener. The improvements will roll out to users globally on iOS and Android this month. The new features are: Travel back in time […]