Qobuz Review

The music library is designed for high-fidelity listening, with a clear focus on studio-quality sound over compressed formats found on many mainstream platforms. It functions as both a streaming service and a download store, giving access to the same catalog in multiple ways.

The library includes more than 100 million tracks across major and independent labels, covering a wide range of genres and eras. Every track streams in lossless FLAC at CD quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz), with a large selection also available in Hi-Res audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz, offering one of the most extensive Hi-Res catalogs available today.

Qobuz places strong emphasis on albums and full artist discographies rather than short-form, algorithm-driven listening. The catalog is organized to encourage complete album playback and deeper exploration of artists’ work, making full records a central part of how the library is experienced.

Its original content focuses on editorial work created by music experts. Qobuz does not create original music, but it offers a wide range of written and curated content that adds context to the catalog.

This includes artist interviews, album reviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and “Panoramas”—long-form features that explore artists, genres, and key moments in music history in a clear, engaging way.

Many albums also include digital booklets, liner notes, and full recording credits, offering additional details about the music and its production.

Curated selections guide discovery. “Qobuzissimes” highlights standout new releases and emerging talent, and “Ideal Discographies” presents essential albums tied to an artist or genre.

Audio quality is a major focus, with streaming and downloads offered in pure lossless FLAC. No MP3 or other lossy compression is used, so the full detail of each recording is preserved. Playback starts at CD Quality (16-bit / 44.1 kHz) and extends up to Hi-Res Audio (24-bit / 192 kHz), delivering studio-level resolution on supported releases.

This approach prioritizes accuracy and clarity, presenting music as close as possible to the original studio master. Every track is delivered in an uncompressed format, offering greater depth, texture, and dynamic range than standard compressed streaming.

Hi-Res playback is available across phones, tablets, computers, and Hi-Fi systems, with the app automatically selecting the highest quality available for each device and connection.

Simultaneous streaming depends on the subscription plan and the number of individual profiles included. Each account under Duo and Family plans can stream independently at the same time, with no interruption between users.

The Duo plan supports two separate accounts, allowing both users to listen on different devices simultaneously, including offline playback. The Family plan expands this to up to six individual profiles, each with its own login, library, and listening activity, all of which can stream simultaneously across phones, computers, and Hi-Fi systems.

Every stream has access to the full catalog of over 100 million lossless tracks in CD quality and Hi-Res audio, so simultaneous listening does not reduce sound quality or limit access for other users.

Profiles are available with Duo and Family plans, giving each user a personal account under a single subscription.

The Duo plan includes two individual accounts with full access to all Qobuz apps, including offline listening. Both users share the same Hi-Res and CD-quality catalog of over 100 million tracks, along with playlists, interviews, reviews, and recommendations across genres like jazz, rock, and classical.

The Family plan expands this to up to six profiles under one subscription, with one main account holder and up to five additional members. Each profile keeps its own library, listening history, and recommendations, while still accessing the full lossless and Hi-Res catalog across devices and audio systems.

Offline downloads on Qobuz keep music playing even without WiFi or mobile data. With a Studio or Sublime subscription, albums, playlists, and songs can be saved directly to your Offline Library on mobile and desktop.

Audio quality is fully customizable, including support for rich Hi-Res FLAC downloads for a more detailed listening experience. Just note that higher-quality files use more storage space. Offline playback is limited to the Qobuz app, and the web player does not support downloads.

For permanent DRM-free music files, Qobuz also offers direct music purchases through its online store.

Audiobooks are available in a limited, purchase-only format rather than as part of the standard streaming catalog. Select titles from publishers such as Bookstream Audiobooks and Classic Audiobooks can be bought and downloaded, often in Hi-Res quality for detailed, high-fidelity playback.

These releases are typically organized like music albums, with individual chapters or sections available as tracks for easy navigation.

Audiobooks are not included in Qobuz’s streaming subscriptions, and there is no dedicated audiobook library or unlimited listening section. The platform serves music first, with audiobooks offered only as a small add-on through its download store.

Parental controls are available through Qobuz Family subscriptions and work at the profile level.

In the app settings, each user profile can have explicit content restricted by enabling “Limit access to explicit content.”

Once turned on, explicit tracks are blocked across all Qobuz apps and devices for that profile, while other profiles on the account remain unaffected.

International access is available in 26 countries across North America, Europe, Oceania, Latin America, and parts of Asia. This includes the United States and Canada, much of Western and Northern Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, with Japan supported for Hi-Res downloads in the store.

An account must be created in a supported country, and once active, it can be used for streaming and downloads while traveling internationally.

Qobuz continues to expand into new regions, with recent launches in Latin America and Portugal.