Qobuz Prepares for US Launch, Announces Pricing Plan

Qobuz, the world’s first and only certified Hi-Res streaming and download service, has spent the fall laying the groundwork for its early 2019 US launch. Providing the first opportunity music fans in the United States will have to experience true Hi-Res audio streamed, Qobuz has already secured a multi-million track Hi-Res catalog ahead of launch, and today announces its US pricing plan.

A revolutionary development in accessibility of a high quality music library, Qobuz offers the most true Hi-Res music of any streaming service. The 24-bit streaming FLAC files can be played on any equipment and require no special processing. Qobuz allows unlimited importing of music in any quality on all the user’s devices, and, with its up to 24-bit/192k Hi-Res download store, will continue to offer consumers options that flow substantial revenues back to creators.

US audiophiles have been eagerly awaiting Qobuz’s arrival stateside since its 2007 founding in France. In eleven European countries, Qobuz is already the streaming and download service of choice for true music connoisseurs looking for the highest possible quality.  This premium reputation is based on both the unparalleled audio quality Qobuz offers, as well as its focus on deep metadata, complete digital booklets, interactive articles and reviews, and exclusive playlists, all available conveniently in-app on every platform. John H Darko of audiophile site Darko Audio said “The big story this year is the arrival of Qobuz to American shores.” Herb Reichert of Stereophile said “When I compare Qobuz' 44.1 sound to [CD quality] … I feel certain I will carry weapons and fight on the front lines to make sure Hi-Res streaming is here to stay.” The LA Times’ classical music critic Mark Swed called it “the greatest record store that has ever existed.”

The beta version of Qobuz is currently being tested in the US preceding wide release, and the finalized pricing is below.

-       Sublime+: $299.99/year for full Hi-Res streaming and substantial (40-60%) discounts on purchases from the Qobuz Hi-Res (up to 24-bit / 192 khz) download store.

-       Studio: $24.99/month for unlimited Hi-Res (24-bit /up to 192 khz) streaming ($249.99 annually).

-       Hi-Fi: $19.99/month for streaming including 16-bit CD quality streaming ($199.9 annually).

-       Premium: $9.99/month for 320 kbps MP3 quality streaming ($99.99 annually).

A US launch date will be announced soon, and here are some of Qobuz’s other preparations:

-       It opened its US headquarters in NYC.

-       It publicly presented itself on the 2018 audio show circuit as Official Streaming Platform at most major shows, and sealed partnership with the most prestigious audio companies. In 2019, Qobuz heads to Audio Expo North America (Chicago, April 2019) and the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.

-        It has secured exclusive editorial content and prioritized hard-to-find jazz and classical cuts to round out the diverse catalog.

At launch, Qobuz will be available on all Mac/iOS/Android/Windows operating systems. To stay updated on the coming USA launch, please contact Mark Satlof and Hannah Schwartz.

About Qobuz
Founded in 2007, Qobuz is a Paris-based commercial online music streaming and downloading service that addresses the needs of curious and discerning music lovers across the globe. Live in eleven European markets and launching in the US in early 2019, Qobuz offers an exceptional range of music genres as well as exclusive editorial content independently curated by a team of experts. Qobuz offers subscription to streaming services with genuine CD quality audio of more than 40-million tracks and over 2 million hi-res tracks up to 24/192 resolution from all genres. For more information: www.qobuz.com.