what is mqa audio : Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) audio is a proprietary system designed to deliver high-quality digital audio . It involves a process of capturing and storing original master recordings in a format that’s small and convenient enough to download or stream without the significant quality loss usually associated with compressed files. It includes audio signal processing, lossy audio compression, and authentication, and requires licensing fees to use.
How MQA Audio work
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology is designed to deliver studio-quality audio in a file size suitable for streaming. It starts with a high-resolution studio master recording, which is encoded using a “folding” process to compress the audio while preserving high-resolution quality. The core information plays at CD quality on any device, while higher frequency content is embedded and can be “unfolded” by compatible devices to restore better-than-CD quality. MQA files include a digital signature to ensure authenticity. When played on MQA-compatible devices, the audio is decoded in stages to recover the original high-resolution sound, balancing high fidelity with efficient compression.
History Of MQA Audio
The history of Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) audio is rooted in the pursuit of delivering high-resolution audio in a format that is convenient for streaming and downloading. Here’s an overview of its development and milestones:
Origins and Development
- Founding of Meridian Audio:
- 1977: Meridian Audio, a British high-end audio manufacturer, was founded by Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd. Meridian became known for its innovations in digital audio and hi-fi equipment.
- Initial Concept:
- Early 2000s: Bob Stuart, co-founder of Meridian, began to explore ways to improve the quality of digital audio and solve issues related to digital compression. His goal was to create a format that preserved the fidelity of studio master recordings while being small enough for streaming.
- Development of MQA:
- 2014: MQA Ltd., a subsidiary of Meridian Audio, was formed to focus on the development and commercialization of the new audio technology. The team at MQA worked on perfecting the “folding” process, which compresses high-resolution audio into a smaller file size while retaining its quality.
Launch and Adoption
- Official Launch:
- 2014: MQA was officially launched at an event in London. The technology was introduced as a revolutionary way to stream high-resolution audio with the same fidelity as the original studio master.
- Industry Reception:
- 2015-2016: Following its launch, MQA gained attention from various segments of the audio industry. It received endorsements from recording artists, producers, and audiophiles who appreciated its potential to enhance audio quality.
- Partnerships with Music Services:
- 2016: TIDAL, a high-fidelity music streaming service, announced support for MQA, becoming one of the first major streaming platforms to offer MQA-encoded tracks. This partnership was a significant step in bringing MQA to a broader audience.
Expansion and Integration
- Hardware and Software Integration:
- 2016-2018: MQA began to be integrated into various hardware devices, including digital-to-analog converters (DACs), audio players, and smartphones. Companies like Onkyo, Pioneer, and LG incorporated MQA technology into their products. Software applications and media players, such as Audirvana and Roon, also added MQA support.
- Catalog Growth:
- 2017 onwards: The catalog of MQA-encoded music expanded as more record labels and artists adopted the format. Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and other major labels started to release their music in MQA.
Recent Developments
- Continued Innovation:
- 2018-2020: MQA continued to innovate and improve its technology, focusing on making the authentication process more robust and ensuring that the end-to-end experience from recording to playback remained as true to the original as possible.
- Further Adoption:
- 2020-2023: More streaming services, including Deezer and Xiami Music (a major Chinese music service), adopted MQA. The technology gained wider acceptance in the audiophile community and among general consumers looking for higher quality streaming options.
Current Status
Today, MQA is recognized as a leading technology for high-resolution audio streaming and playback. It is used by a growing number of streaming services, hardware manufacturers, and recording studios, providing a way to experience music as it was intended by the artists and producers.
MQA vs FLAC
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) and FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) are two popular audio formats, each with its own unique characteristics and use cases. Here’s a comparison of the two:
| Feature | MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) | FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Deliver studio-quality sound in small size | Compress audio without loss of quality |
| Compression Type | Lossy (perceptually lossless) | Lossless |
| File Size | Smaller than traditional high-resolution files | Larger than lossy formats but smaller than uncompressed formats |
| Audio Quality | High-quality, aims to be perceptually lossless | True lossless, identical to original |
| Authentication | Yes, ensures fidelity to studio master | No |
| Playback Requirements | Requires specific hardware/software for full quality | No special equipment needed |
| Support | Limited to compatible players | Widely supported by many players |
| Pros | High-quality audio with small file sizes; authenticated audio | True lossless quality; open-source; wide compatibility |
| Cons | Requires specific hardware/software; proprietary format | Larger file sizes; no built-in authentication |
This table provides a clear side-by-side comparison of the main aspects of MQA and FLAC.
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
- Purpose and Philosophy:
- MQA is designed to deliver studio-quality sound in a file size small enough for streaming.
- It uses a process called “folding” to compress the audio file while retaining high-quality sound.
- MQA also includes authentication to ensure the file is a direct copy of the studio master.
- Compression and Quality:
- MQA is a lossy format, but it aims to be “perceptually lossless,” meaning it aims to remove inaudible information while preserving audible quality.
- It typically provides higher quality than standard lossy formats like MP3 but is not truly lossless.
- File Size:
- MQA files are smaller than traditional high-resolution files, making them suitable for streaming.
- Playback:
- To fully benefit from MQA, compatible hardware or software is required. Without it, MQA files will play back at standard CD quality.
- Pros:
- High-quality audio with relatively small file sizes.
- Authenticated audio ensures fidelity to the studio master.
- Cons:
- Requires specific hardware or software for full quality playback.
- Proprietary format, meaning it may have limited compatibility compared to more open formats.
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec)
- Purpose and Philosophy:
- FLAC is designed to compress audio without any loss of quality, meaning the decompressed audio is identical to the original.
- It is an open-source format widely used for archiving and distribution.
- Compression and Quality:
- FLAC is a lossless format, retaining 100% of the original audio quality.
- It compresses audio files to approximately 50-60% of their original size.
- File Size:
- Larger than lossy formats like MQA but smaller than uncompressed formats like WAV.
- Playback:
- FLAC is widely supported by many media players, both hardware and software.
- No special equipment is required to play FLAC files at full quality.
- Pros:
- True lossless audio quality.
- Open-source and widely supported.
- Ideal for archiving high-quality audio.
- Cons:
- Larger file sizes compared to lossy formats.
- No built-in authentication or assurance of fidelity to a studio master like MQA.
Summary
- MQA is great for streaming high-quality audio efficiently with smaller file sizes and built-in authentication, but requires compatible hardware/software for full quality.
- FLAC is perfect for true lossless audio storage and playback, with wide compatibility and no special requirements, but results in larger files.
Choosing between MQA and FLAC depends on your specific needs. If you prioritize streaming efficiency and studio master authentication, MQA might be the better choice. If you want the best possible quality with no loss and broad compatibility, FLAC is likely the way to go.