Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Blu-ray, DVD & 4K Media Players

PODCAST: Why is Streaming Audio So Complicated?

In this episode we discuss the complexity of audio options when streaming music and movies, and why you may not be hearing everything you could.

Streaming has become the dominant format for both music listening and video viewing. Music streaming services account for 84% of all music listening and 89% of music industry revenue. Video streaming services account for approximately 95% of the home video market. Fully 99% of US households subscribe to one or more video streaming services as of 2023. Many video streaming services can deliver video in high quality 4K resolution with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for a gorgeous image. But those who seek out and appreciate the finest possible sound quality may find actually getting that high quality sound through a streaming service is more complicated than it should be. 

In this episode, eCoustics founder and CEO Brian Mitchell and Editor-at-Large Chris Boylan discuss the options out there for high quality audio including immersive sound, aka “spatial audio,” lossless music and even hi-res audio. Which services do it right? Which do it wrong? Listen in to find out. 

Sponsors: Thank you to our sponsors SVS and Q Acoustics.

On the Panel:

Where to listen:

Credits:

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Robert Silva

    August 12, 2024 at 2:24 pm

    Great Podcast!

  2. ORT

    August 14, 2024 at 12:06 am

    The good thing about music, streaming music, is that it’s like fast food but with all the love of a meal cooked by friends. Lots of friends. Except they’re musicians.

    In my world, music comes on vinyl, CD, cassette (I recently found a tape I made!) and yes, streaming.

    If music be the food of love, deliver it however I can get it.

    And no. I am not suggesting that coconuts migrate. But do they look like huuuuuge tracts o’ land?

    Gaius Petronius ORTbitre (cool Europeen surname spelling!)

  3. Howard Rodgers

    August 14, 2024 at 6:12 am

    Great podcast. However, Roku no longer supports Tidal.

  4. jimf

    August 15, 2024 at 1:43 am

    Very good podcast…of course, the only music I stream is that in my personal library. I stream over Roon and Roon Ark. I see no point in streaming from commercial services where 90+% of the music would be of no interest.

    Good discussion of Atmos too…in my AVR system, I am set up with Atmos in a 9.1.4 system…I enjoy it on a Blu-Ray disc, but would not pay extra to a streaming service for it. It would be of no interest on a TV I would buy as I basically use the TV as a monitor for my streaming over Prime, Roku and NVIDIA Shield. If I could get a high quality tv with no tuner, that would be best.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Podcasts

Podcast with Editor-in-chief, Ian White on vinyl, CDs and physical media 2026

Music

As physical media (both CDs and vinyl) continues its surge in 2026, eCoustics Editor-in-Chief, Ian White takes a look at what's happening behind the...

Caleb Denison of CalebRated on the eCoustics Podcast covering CEDIA Expo 2026 Caleb Denison of CalebRated on the eCoustics Podcast covering CEDIA Expo 2026

Home Theater

This episode covers the Best of CEDIA Expo 2026 with Caleb Denison, of CalebRated, including MicroLED video walls, 4K TVs and more.

Dolby Vision 2 Podcast 2026 Dolby Vision 2 Podcast 2026

Podcasts

Forthcoming software updates on 2026 Hisense UX, UR9, UR8 and U7 TVs will enable Dolby Vision 2 Max features, but what about new content?

Best TVs of 2026 Podcast Best TVs of 2026 Podcast

Podcasts

eCoustics video experts reveal their favorite TVs of 2026, including a value pick that might surprise you.

Jacob Wendt and Kevin Gray eCoustics Podcast Jacob Wendt and Kevin Gray eCoustics Podcast

Music

Musician Jacob Wendt and mastering engineer, Kevin Gray of Cohearent Records discuss their upcoming album, recorded with an all-valve signal path from microphone to...

Hi-Fi Bear T10 Bespoke In-ear Computers Podcast at AXPONA 2026 Hi-Fi Bear T10 Bespoke In-ear Computers Podcast at AXPONA 2026

Podcasts

Hi-Fi Bear reveals what makes T10 Bespoke's in-ear computers so special with eCoustics Podcast Producer Mitch Anderson who tries them for the first time.

You May Also Like

Articles

The best studio headphones of 2026 we tested and reviewed for mixing, mastering, accuracy, and comfort.

Articles

Check out our favorite wired over-ear open-back and closed-back headphones for audiophiles and studio professionals at various price points.

Over-Ear Headphones

Can $59.99 retro Walkman headphones with USB-C deliver more than nostalgia? We test the sound, comfort, and Stranger Things appeal.

Gift Guides

Our 2026 Splurge Gift Guide features premium hi-fi, headphones and home theater gifts from $300 to $30K that's guaranteed to impress.

Articles

148 years have elapsed since Edison's Phonograph was patented, and we decided to look back at some of the turntables that had the most...

Exclusive Videos

The $479 WiiM Bar offers excellent music playback and streaming, but aggressive compression hurts Dolby Atmos. Is this Sonos alternative worth buying?

Articles

The best wireless headphones of 2026, tested by eCoustics. Our Editors’ Choice picks from Sony, Bose, Focal, DALI and more cover ANC, sound and...

Over-Ear Headphones

Can these open-back studio headphones deliver deep bass, precise imaging, and comfort while satisfying audiophiles and gamers alike?

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more →

Copyright © 1999-2026 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.