Music streaming service TIDAL has just made a significant move. In 2023, we reported that they were introducing FLAC into their sound format mix. This sparked speculation that this meant that TIDAL was going to eventually drop MQA.
A year later that speculation was proven correct. In addition, it looks like Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format was also on TIDAL’s hit list.
Don’t dream it’s over? It definitely is.
Shortly after the FLAC implementation, TIDAL increased its individual Hi-Fi plan from $9.99/month to $10.99/month but rolled in all of the features of its Hi-Fi Plus $19.99/month plan (except the professional DJ feature) into that basic plan. This offered audiophiles a much better deal on unlimited HiFi quality streaming. So just as Tidal giveth, so can Tidal taketh away. And we wave goodbye to MQA and Sony 360 Reality Audio.
TIDAL: No More MQA or 360 Reality Audio
Starting July 24, 2024, TIDAL subscribers will no longer be able to access music in the MQA or Sony 360 Reality Audio (360RA) formats.
Stereo Sound: TIDAL will be supporting FLAC for stereo tracks going forward. One reason for FLAC support is that it is open source, enabling any artist to deliver music in lossless high quality directly to TIDAL without the involvement of a third party. This makes it easier for fans to experience music in the highest possible sound quality on all their devices.
Immersive Sound: Dolby Atmos is now and will continue to be supported going forward. The reasoning here is that there is more widespread support for Dolby Atmos than for 360 Reality Audio in terms of compatible devices, catalog availability, and artist adoption.
What Happens Next?
MQA tracks or albums in collections or playlists, will automatically be replaced by the highest quality FLAC version that has been distributed to TIDAL. In many cases, these tracks will be delivered in high resolution audio format, as TIDAL offers over 6,000,000 tracks in high-res FLAC format and 110,000 tracks in lossless CD quality FLAC format (as of September, 2023).
For MQA tracks or albums that have been previously downloaded for offline access, users will need to update to the latest version of the TIDAL app on July 24. You will then be prompted to redownload these tracks. This will download the replacement FLAC version of any MQA track you previously downloaded.
For 360 Reality Audio, the tracks or albums in this format, including those in a playlist or downloaded for offline access, will be grayed out and unavailable for streaming if you try to select them. In most if not all cases, stereo versions of these songs are available to stream on TIDAL. This move leaves Amazon Music as the only major streaming service to still support Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format. The format is also available on niche streaming services such as Deezer, Artist Connection and nugs.net.
According to a TIDAL Spokesperson, “Yes, it’s true. After careful consideration of relative catalog coverage, distribution frequency, and subscriber listening experiences, we decided to discontinue hosting MQA, 360 Reality Audio, and all podcasts on TIDAL. Music fans can continue to access over 110 million songs available in HiRes FLAC, FLAC, and Dolby Atmos on TIDAL for $10.99 USD (or local equivalent) on an Individual Plan.”
According to TIDAL, there are no plans to change audio format offerings going forward.
TIDAL Plans Compared
| Individual | Family | Student | |
| Monthly Price (Sales Tax Applicable) | $10.99 | $16.99 (Up to 6 Individual accounts allowed) | $4.99 |
| DJ Extension ($9.00 Month Extra) | Yes | – | – |
| 110+ Million Tracks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lossless Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FLAC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ad Free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Listening | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Personalized Mixes | Yes | – | – |
| Clean Playlist and Curated Content for Kids | – | Yes | – |
| Curated Study Playlists | – | – | Yes |
| Editorial Playlist | Yes | – | – |
| Live Sessions | Yes | – | – |
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ORT
June 19, 2024 at 3:02 pm
“O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
Cue the majestic theme from “Exodus” and… “Let my music flow!”
ORT
ORT
June 19, 2024 at 9:22 pm
MQA wAcolytes, there’s a “gnu hope”…It’s rumored that Disney is opening a gnu kind of FANtASSy Land in their theme parks and its soundtrack will feature MQA!
It will be called…”WOKEANDA® 4EVA”!!!!
ORTiwan Kenobe
ORT
June 19, 2024 at 9:41 pm
I just received an email from Denon as they have now decided to support Tidal on HEOS, their Home Entertainment Operating System.
I have used HEOS since around 2016 and find it to be excellent. I have not decided if I will now “endorse” (LOL!!) Tidal by paying for a membership, but I doubt Tidal is champing at the bit for my John Hancock. But they should be. 😉
And I am no Roonatic, As Gaius Petronius Arbiter would say if he could say it – vox populai vox ORT.
ORT
Chris Boylan
June 21, 2024 at 5:07 am
Hey, ORT,
Sorry to interrupt your discussion with yourself, but that’s cool that HEOS is supporting TIDAL now. Maybe soon they will support Dolby Atmos as well? That would be nice. Immersive music is so… immersive.
-CB
ORT
June 21, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Hi Chris –
Yes, that would be nice if HEOS supports Dolby’s Atmos for music!
“The best way to observe a fish, is to become a fish”. -Jacques Cousteau
Immerse yourself in the soundtrack of your life and hear the memories all the more vivid and meaningful.
I agree with you. I tend to talk to myself a bit. 😉
ORT
JR
June 21, 2024 at 8:13 pm
He’s back!