After multiple Soundcloud users complained online about an unwanted downgrading from 128 kbps MP3 to 64 kbps Opus when using the streaming platform, the company issued an explanation.
Soundcloud recently changed their streaming format from 128kbps MP3 to 64kbps Opus. This drastically reduces the audio quality and can introduce strange artifacts.
I made & released a Chrome Extension to restore the 128kbps MP3s. Give it a try.https://t.co/hGUuxiJXYG pic.twitter.com/bYkbyhcNWd
— Direct (@DirectOfficial) January 3, 2018
“We always appreciate feedback, but these reports are inaccurate,” a SoundCloud spokesperson told Billboard. “SoundCloud has not altered its approach to audio quality. We have been using the Opus codec (among others) since 2016, and we regularly test different combinations of encoding and streaming to offer listeners a quality experience on any device.
“Furthermore, we store all content from creators at its originally uploaded quality level so we can continually adapt to advances in encoding and playback.”