Best music streaming service.

[Jerry1]

I’m trying to find the best music streaming service. I’ve tried a few and wonder if I should try others. I’d like to settle on just one.

I currently have SiriusXM and Amazon Unlimited. I pay for those. I also use Pandora free version.

SiriusXM - I like this because it integrate with my truck. They sold me a annual package for $60 when the pandemic started and renewed me for the same amount. I’m fine with them at that price but would not pay any more.

Amazon Unlimited - I pay $7.99/mo for this. I like that I can pick an album and play it. Not much else to like. It’s a bit expensive and the thing I like the least is that when I play their version of my favorites (music I may like), their selection process absolutely sucks.

Pandora - I like this because it’s free and they do a great job of selecting music for me based on my listening ad my likes. If they allowed me to select albums with their paid service, I’d be happy to sign up and drop Amazon Music.

So, anyone have a good idea on which company feeds a good selection of music and allows for direct selection of songs and albums?

 

[mpeirce]

I’d look at Spotify or Apple Music too. They are the big two in streaming music.

If you use Apple products, Apple Music is the obvious choice. Spotify is very similar.

The only other “big” one you didn’t mention is YouTube Music. I’m not familiar with it, sorry.

Here’s a article the
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/

I’m an Apple guy and listen to Apple Music all the time and enjoy it.

 

[Midpack]

I gather Spotify (once Pandora) has taken over the top spot for now, but it’s largely a matter of personal taste. What I like may not fit your needs.

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-music-streaming-service/

 

[Jerry1]

Do Spotify and Apple Music allow me to pull up a specific album and play it? I don’t think Pandora does, but if I’m wrong, I’d probably use their service.

 

[mpeirce]

Do Spotify and Apple Music allow me to pull up a specific album and play it? I don’t think Pandora does, but if I’m wrong, I’d probably use their service.

Apple Music definitely does. You can ask it to stream any album. You can also “Add to Library...” which stores it on you local device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac). This allows you to play that even if you are not connected to the internet.

 

[Trailwalker]

Spotify does too.. You can pull up an artist's discography and play any album. I stopped buying music when I started subscribing to Spotify.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

Other than in your truck, how/where else do you want to listen? Via what devices? Some services may be better than others in how they work with your chosen method(s).

 

[Jerry1]

Other than in your truck, how/where else do you want to listen? Via what devices? Some services may be better than others in how they work with your chosen method(s).

I don’t do anything anyone would confuse with being an audiophile. I list on my tv sound bars or my AirPods. When I want piece and quite I use my AirPod Pros and turn on the noise canceling. That about as high end as it gets. I’ve listened to all kinds of music and just cannot tell the difference between high quality and standard streaming or listening to a CD directly. Maybe with some better equipment, but that’s just not a place I’m going to spend any money. Low brow music lover.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I don’t do anything anyone would confuse with being an audiophile. I list on my tv sound bars or my AirPods. When I want piece and quite I use my AirPod Pros and turn on the noise canceling. That about as high end as it gets. I’ve listened to all kinds of music and just cannot tell the difference between high quality and standard streaming or listening to a CD directly. Maybe with some better equipment, but that’s just not a place I’m going to spend any money. Low brow music lover.

Same as me. As an AirPod owner, you should try Apple Music. I didn’t even realize they worked without it. Not sure if it would work with your tv sound bar, unless it supports playing via your iPhone, which I assume you have since you have AirPods.

 

[Jerry1]

Spotify does too.. You can pull up an artist's discography and play any album. I stopped buying music when I started subscribing to Spotify.

How do they do with sending music your way based on prior listening and “likes”? I like that feature because it introduces me to music and artists who I might not otherwise be aware.

 

[ProspectiveBum]

IMO, the only reason to subscribe to Sirius is if you really like some of their non-music content (live sports, etc.). We’ve been Spotify subscribers for years, and really like the service. You can pick a song you like, and Spotify can play “radio” based on that song (i.e songs that compliment your original choice). From what I’ve heard, their algorithm for picking music is better than other streaming services.

I’d like to switch our family account over to Apple Music because I’m an AAPL shareholder, but DW and kids aren’t willing to switch.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

And the beauty of all these monthly subscription services… try it this month. Try something else next month if you don’t like it. It’s cheap. They may even offer a free trial. Didn’t your AirPods come with a free Apple Music trial?

 

[Jerry1]

Didn’t your AirPods come with a free Apple Music trial?

I don’t know. The box comes and I stick them in my ears. I know I’ve never tried it so maybe by using a receipt or a serial number I can try Apple Music. Thanks.

 

[Jerry1]

IMO, the only reason to subscribe to Sirius is if you really like some of their non-music content (live sports, etc.).

I agree, but given the low cost, I like how I don’t need to sync my phone or log in or have a cell signal. XM pretty much just works. However, I wouldn’t pay more than the $60/mo.

 

[yakers]

Had SIRIUS in the car, was good but don't need it with iPhone, I use Spotify free version a little, when friends send me playlists but I pay for and love Pandora, use it at home, in the car and walking. Don't know if you can select a specific album but it does store music on my phone for when signals drop. If I want to play music saved in itunes on my iPhone, that works well.

 

[Trailwalker]

How do they do with sending music your way based on prior listening and “likes”? I like that feature because it introduces me to music and artists who I might not otherwise be aware.

I think Spotify does this well. Every day, Spotify offers me a bunch of daily "mixes" based upon what I've listened to. These include familiar artists and new artists in similar genres. There are also "discover something new" mixes.

 

[RunningBum]

Spotify has a 3 month free trail if you sign up before 12/31. Probably one month after that. I'm trying it. For the most part I like the library I've built, and I add maybe a dozen or so a year, often downloaded free from using the slower shipping credits. Doubt it'll be worth $10/month to have more access, but I'll find out.

I have Sirius XM in my new car, but I won't extend it. Don't get me started on the talk shows. It was nice to catch some college football a couple saturdays while I was on the road. The music is pretty hit or miss, with lots of commercials. And if you listen to a particular artist's channel, like Springsteen, you hear a lot of repeats, of course, but also some pretty lousy concert versions.

 

[zinger1457]

The biggest drawback with SiriusXM in the car is the quality of their music, noticeable difference between other music services that provide HD audio music streaming and what Sirius provides.

 

[Free2BMe]

We LOVE Iheart radio for listening in our home.. It's free.
We subscribe to Amazon Unlimited for downloading and then listening on our phones when we ride our bikes. We listen to local talk ready or local radio channels or our downloaded music in our car.

We pay $20/month each for cell service via Republic Wireless for our phones since we don't use much data.

 

[Dash man]

We have more than we need. SiriusXM for three cars and streaming for $12.99/month, Pandora for $3.99/month and Apple Music, included in a package we have.

 

[Venturer]

I’m trying to find the best music streaming service. I’ve tried a few and wonder if I should try others. I’d like to settle on just one.

I currently have SiriusXM and Amazon Unlimited. I pay for those. I also use Pandora free version.

SiriusXM - I like this because it integrate with my truck. They sold me a annual package for $60 when the pandemic started and renewed me for the same amount. I’m fine with them at that price but would not pay any more.

Amazon Unlimited - I pay $7.99/mo for this. I like that I can pick an album and play it. Not much else to like. It’s a bit expensive and the thing I like the least is that when I play their version of my favorites (music I may like), their selection process absolutely sucks.

Pandora - I like this because it’s free and they do a great job of selecting music for me based on my listening ad my likes. If they allowed me to select albums with their paid service, I’d be happy to sign up and drop Amazon Music.

So, anyone have a good idea on which company feeds a good selection of music and allows for direct selection of songs and albums?

We have Sirus in my truck and DW suv, I set a reminder on my phone & when they are co0ming up for renewal I call in and tell them I'll keep listening for the $60. a year or they can just turn it off. I don't even have to ask for a "retention" person the last 2 years. If they ever balk I'll just go to local radio or blutooth my free music. We usually only listen to 3-or 4 channels per year anyway.

 

[CoolRich59]

I have both Spotify and Apple Music.

I’ve tried Pandora, Amzn, and Tidal.

IMO, Spotify is the hands down winner because of their app; useful recommendations, easy to find music, create playlists, etc. Apple has a larger library, but I find their app unwieldy and annoying.

 

[iloveyoga]

DH loves his Apple Music and certainly gets his moneys worth out of it. We play it on the Siri home pods. You can ask her to play almost anything.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I use Apple Music. I primarily listen to it at home using 4 Apple HomePod speakers that I have around different rooms in the house. I have an Apple Home app “scene” defined that randomly plays from my entire Music Library when I say “Hey Siri, music in the house”. The closest HomePod hears me say it and that launches the scene, which plays the music on all 4 Speakers. I add songs/albums to my Library anytime I find something I like in Apple Music. I look for new music about once a week.

It is pretty uncommon for me to ask Siri to play a specific song, album or artist, but I do on occasion. Using my scene, I’m fortunate to hear an AC/DC song immediately following Celine Dion followed by Wham! I like variety.

 

[audreyh1]

I like Apple Music. We just plug our phone into our car stereo.

They create some terrific personalized channels for you.