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Hi-Res Mainstreaming Rests on ‘Strong Potential’ for Upgrades, Says Futuresource

The introduction of Amazon Music HD last week (see 1909180028) typifies recent hardware and streaming developments that could be “stepping-stones towards mainstream adoption” of hi-res audio, blogged Futuresource Consulting on Friday. The growth of wireless speakers, “notably driven by Amazon,”…

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is another potential market invigorator, it said. The components required to “fully benefit” from hi-res audio “have been significantly simplified, now incorporating all the required audio components into a single device,” said Futuresource. Spotify and Apple Music “could also follow Amazon’s move into high-quality streaming,” though Spotify has “consistently rejected the idea,” it said. Apple “could benefit from the synergy of its in-house cloud storage service to have lower hosting and delivery cost,” it said. Futuresource canvassed smart-speaker owners in 2019's first half, and half said they want products “with better sound quality than they currently own, indicating the strong potential for upsell and upgrades,” it said.