HIGHRESAUDIO
Berlin hi-res audio service combining streaming, a download store and direct artist distribution
Quick Overview
| Company | HIGHRESAUDIO UG (haftungsbeschränkt) |
|---|---|
| Category | Music Streaming |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Founded | 2010 |
| EU Presence | EU (Germany) |
| Data Location | EU (Germany) |
| Open Source | No |
| Pricing | Streaming: €79 per 6 months or €149 per year (€199 per year with a 30% download discount); downloads priced separately |
| Free Option | 7-day free trial |
| Replaces | Qobuz, Bandcamp |
Detailed Review
Qobuz proved a streaming service can also be a download store; HIGHRESAUDIO built the smaller, more specialist version of the same idea from Berlin. The service streams and sells FLAC downloads up to true high-resolution quality side by side, and it explicitly invites musicians and labels to distribute directly through the platform without needing a contract with a major label — a route into an audiophile audience a small classical or jazz label would otherwise not have.
HIGHRESAUDIO UG has operated from Berlin since 2010. Streaming runs €79 for six months or €149 for a year, with a 7-day free trial; paying €199 a year instead adds a permanent 30% discount on every download, which matters here because the download store is not an afterthought the way it can feel on a pure streaming app. Genre coverage leans toward classical, jazz, singer-songwriter and audiophile-curated pop and rock rather than a mainstream chart catalogue.
The catalogue is a fraction of Qobuz's size, and there is no algorithmic discovery to speak of — HIGHRESAUDIO works best for a listener who already knows the label or artist they are looking for rather than one browsing for something new. It is also a niche within a niche: even among the audiophile services in this category, HIGHRESAUDIO is the smallest and least mainstream.
What HIGHRESAUDIO does well
- Streaming and a hi-res FLAC download store in one subscription
- True high-resolution audio, not just marketing-grade "HD"
- Direct distribution route for independent artists and labels
- Permanent 30% download discount on the annual streaming plan
- Berlin company operating since 2010
Where HIGHRESAUDIO falls short
- Catalogue far smaller than Qobuz's
- Little algorithmic or editorial discovery
- Niche audiophile genres rather than a mainstream chart catalogue
- No free tier, only a 7-day trial
Standout feature. Musicians and labels can distribute directly through HIGHRESAUDIO without a major-label contract, reaching an audiophile audience most small labels can't otherwise find.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Streaming and a hi-res FLAC download store in one subscription
- True high-resolution audio, not just marketing-grade "HD"
- Direct distribution route for independent artists and labels
- Permanent 30% download discount on the annual streaming plan
- Berlin company operating since 2010
Cons
- Catalogue far smaller than Qobuz's
- Little algorithmic or editorial discovery
- Niche audiophile genres rather than a mainstream chart catalogue
- No free tier, only a 7-day trial
Alternatives to HIGHRESAUDIO
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HIGHRESAUDIO?
Qobuz proved a streaming service can also be a download store; HIGHRESAUDIO built the smaller, more specialist version of the same idea from Berlin. The service streams and sells FLAC downloads up to true high-resolution quality side by side, and it explicitly invites musicians and labels to distribute directly through the platform without needing a contract with a major label — a route into an audiophile audience a small classical or jazz label would otherwise not have.
Where is HIGHRESAUDIO based?
HIGHRESAUDIO operates from Berlin, Germany, which places it under EU (Germany).
What does HIGHRESAUDIO cost?
Streaming: €79 per 6 months or €149 per year (€199 per year with a 30% download discount); downloads priced separately. 7-day free trial.
Who is HIGHRESAUDIO best for?
Audiophiles who want to own hi-res files. Musicians and labels can distribute directly through HIGHRESAUDIO without a major-label contract, reaching an audiophile audience most small labels can't otherwise find.
What are the drawbacks of HIGHRESAUDIO?
Catalogue far smaller than Qobuz's. Little algorithmic or editorial discovery. Niche audiophile genres rather than a mainstream chart catalogue. No free tier, only a 7-day trial.
Is HIGHRESAUDIO a good alternative to Qobuz?
HIGHRESAUDIO is built as a European alternative to Qobuz: Berlin hi-res audio service combining streaming, a download store and direct artist distribution. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where the two genuinely differ before switching.
How does HIGHRESAUDIO compare to other Music Streaming tools?
HIGHRESAUDIO is one of several European Music Streaming tools we cover. It is most often compared with Qobuz, Bandcamp.