Spotify introduces Exclusive Mode for better sound

Spotify has a new feature called Exclusive Mode that will provide Windows users with noticeably improved sound quality. The feature is already available in the desktop app and is aimed primarily at those who want to get the most out of their audio equipment.

The point is that Spotify gives the app complete control over the device's audio processing. Your computer often modifies audio before it even reaches the DAC (digital-to-analog converter). This includes resampling, mixing with other system sounds, and adjusting the volume. Enabling Exclusive Mode turns all of this off, allowing for what's known as "bit-perfect" playback - sound that remains unchanged from source to output.

For now, the feature is available exclusively to Spotify Premium users on Windows, but the company says it will be coming to macOS in the future. Activating it is simple. In the app settings, select the “Playback” section, specify the audio device in the “Output” menu, and then enable the “Exclusive Mode” option.

There are a few limitations to note. While using Exclusive Mode, you won't hear audio from other apps, and some Spotify features like automix and crossfade won't work. This means that the feature is primarily intended for listening to music in its purest form, without distractions or additional processing.

Users have been asking for similar functionality for some time, as rival services like Tidal and Amazon Music also offer it. Spotify introduced lossless music playback in September, which brought a slight improvement in sound quality, but Exclusive Mode goes a step further.