When streaming spotify (using spotify connect or voice commands) on google speakers/google capable speakers, the quality on some songs is dreadful (96kbps or lower). Its been like this for at least a year but I have finally done enough troubleshooting to be able to say where I think the issue is......spotify connect and its integration in the home app.
I think spotify connect defaults to low quality when you ask your speakers to play something or if you go into the home app (via the media button)/spotify app and tell it to stream spotify on your speakers. I believe voice commands are processed via spotify connect, not chromecast, as If I specifically select a speaker or a group of speakers in the home app and then tap cast my audio, I get much better streaming quality.
It took me a while but I finally found a song that always has the issue - "Stricken" by Disturbed with the quality being noticeably low at 22 seconds into the song and onwards.
I have tried playing the same song via the following methods and these were the results:
Spotify connect - Low quality, cymbals were painful to listen to
Voice command to google speaker to play on spotify- Low quality, cymbals were painful to listen to
Chromecast from phone playing spotify - no issues, sounded good.
Voice command to google speaker to play on apple music - no issues, sounded good
Cast from apple music app on phone (assume this is chromecast) - no issues, sounded good
So in conclusion, the Home app seems to be defaulting to spotify connect, which sounds rubbish. Personally, I dont want to change to apple music but I also dont want to not have the voice command functionality of my speakers producing a low quality result when using spotify.
FYI - tried this on multiple devices so its not a cache or install issue. Also Spotify streams at a much lower volume than Apple music?
The speakers I have tried this this on, all with the same result:
3 google nest minis
1 Nest wifi point
1 LG SLY8G sound bar and sub (has "dolby atmos")
