Chip suppliers focus on high resolution audio

Chip suppliers focus on high resolution audio

But this does not mean the lower quality MP3 music file format is going to be replaced anytime soon.

“Amazingly, the MP3 music format is 25 years old, and it still has an important part to play in today’s music landscape. However, because it compresses the music file for easier storage and internet transfer, the music quality invariably suffers,” said Peter Cooney, Principal Analyst & Director of SAR Insight & Consulting.

As broadband coverage widens and mobile download speeds increase thee will be an opportunity for higher resolution audio.

According to the latest report from SAR Insight & Consulting, called: ‘High Resolution Audio: Creating Opportunities Across the Audio Ecosystem; State of the Industry Today and Future Market Growth’ the music industry as a whole has been slow to embrace HRA, but the link up between the Consumer Electronics Association, The Digital Entertainment Group, Japan Audio Society and major music labels, such as Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group in 2014 to define and promote high resolution audio formats through formal definitions for master quality sources, was a major step forward.

“There is a strong incentive for the music industry to drive consumer awareness and, therefore, increase interest in HRA music as this can be used to reinvigorate the download market, help increase prices for a premium product, and help to drive premium streaming services,” said Cooney.

HRA also has the support of major artists, such as the Foo Fighters who, earlier this year, teamed up with Sony Music to promote the lossless format. But there are still barriers to market.

“Consumers, particularly younger people, have become increasingly accustomed to or have grown up only listening to compressed audio. This is perhaps the most difficult hurdle to overcome for the music industry as a whole if it is to drive HRA to the mass market,” said Cooney.