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Integrating a Music Quality Setting for Spotify on the 245 Music

I've seen it voiced in the forum that there is a noticeable discrepancy between the music from Spotify, as an app on a phone, that is paired with Bluetooth earphones compared to the quality experienced when listening to the Spotify app on the 245 Music watch.

I use Sennheiser Momentum 2 TW Buds for reference and it's obvious to me that the 'very high' quality available on the app on the phone is noticeably higher audio fidelity than the standard imposed by the watches app.

This essentially stunts the music label on the watch for me. I'd much prefer to use my earbuds with my phone and Spotify if it means I can experience the best in sounds quality Spotify has to offer.

I'm asking that a quality setting is integrated into the app settings on the watch. This would allow the user to choose less songs with higher quality or more songs with less. I don't mind at all this means a lower capacity of songs. I feel many would think the same. Just to be given the option to select the highest quality available would be an excellent addition.

Otherwise some clarification to the technical limitations of this feature would be welcome to know.

When I exercise, it would be better not to bring my phone with me to listen to music. All that requires for me is the 'very high' quality to be an option when downloading music to the watch.

  • I explained this. It's only data going across a Bluetooth signal. Nothing anolog. You seem to understand this from what you've previously said. I don't understand where the confusion is. The digital to anolog conversion is done by the Bluetooth device of your choice. I've paired my Sennheiser TW 2 buds to a Pixel 5, Pixel 2 XL, HTC M8 from 2014 and a Lenovo L13 laptop and a Samsung Gear S3 and they all sound similar. Not the same. But compared to the 245 watch all those devices sound considerably better.

  • Thanks for the suggestion. I actually knew that, but was trying to make a point to the other guy which I think you understand.

    Funny thing is I was actually going to get a BTR5 this weekend but couldn't find the time for it. I might get one next week and I'll try it on the 245 just for fun.

  • Then the Bluetooth chip on the watch sending the digital signal to the Airpods is the reason for lack of sound qaulity. 

  • I want one of those too. Sorry I wasn't really understanding what you were getting at. Honestly I don't care about this issue anymore. I'm fine using my buds with my phone and the features of the watch seperatly.  But I mean if it was something as simple as integrating a quality setting for the app on the watch. By all means Garmin should just take a moment to put that in. But if people are reporting no notable difference from max quality MP3 files uploaded to the watch with the same listening device compared to their Spotify on the watch it mustn't be that simple. 

  • I'd say so but no way to tell for sure as far as I know. Don't see someone from Garmin chiming in to give some clarification

  • Totally get you. The sound quality is slightly disappointing but it was never a big deal to me, not from a running watch. When I'm out running I usually still have my phone on my flipbelt (don't judge) but I usually play music from the watch just so I can disconnect my earphones from my phone and somehow be off-grid. When I'm at the gym I play around with my phone anyway so I don't mind playing off it. One reason I'm getting a BTR5 is actually to try working out with wired IEMs. 

    But if people are reporting no notable difference from max quality MP3 files uploaded to the watch with the same listening device compared to their Spotify on the watch it mustn't be that simple. 

    This. Plus most people are probably comparing with running earphones on anyway. Imagine somebody comparing the audio quality with Aftershokz on. 

  • Ok my guy. Yes it's slightly disappointing. It's not terrible. For me I took a listen and thought 'well if its gonna sound like that, why don't I just keep using my buds with my phone which sounds better?' When running I just use a running belt with my phone in it paired to the buds. I wear the watch for the fitness metrics. But when I bought the watch. I was looking forward to just wearing the watch and the buds. It was disappointing not a deal breaker. Maybe I'm spoilt for audio. I'm probably not the audience this watch was designed for. Music is in the name though right? Just feels like an afterthought not main functionality to me. It's alright.

  • Music is in the name though right? Just feels like an afterthought not main functionality to me.

    When I got my 245 I was choosing between the regular one or the 245 Music. Didn't really want to pay more for something my phone was able to do already but I figured the $50 difference wasn't that big of a risk for the potential flexibility.

    So it does cost just $50 more than the regular 245 which does exactly everything else but play music. Kinda like paying 50 bucks for a DAP. Like you said, you get what you pay for.

  • Spotify sounds better for me than audio files from a lossless source on the watch. Clint Mansel - Leaving Earth sounds crackly right from the start but sounds fine on Spotify widget. 

  • Did you test on lossless headphones?