HIGH-RESOLUTION AUDIO
Headphones
Sony high-resolution audio
The way the artists truly intended
Buying your high-resolution audio files
Enjoy the exciting world of high-resolution music—now. Music service companies offer extensive libraries of high-resolution audio files for sale; search them to buy your favourite genres.
High-resolution audio products
Whether you want on-the-go convenience or the full power of a home system, Sony high-resolution audio products let you hear music as the artist intended.
On-the-go
Home and office
What is high-resolution audio?
High-Resolution Audio refers to a collection of digital processes and formats that allow the encoding and playback of music using higher sampling rates than the standards used in CDs.
Original analogue recording
CD: 16 bit/44.1 kHz
High-resolution audio at 24 bit/96 kHz
The graphs above start with the original analogue sound waves, and illustrate the low sample rate of CDs compared to the greater frequency used to record High Resolution Audio. There is no single standard for High Resolution Audio, but the most commonly used specifications are 24 bit/96 kHz (3.2x more data transmitted than CD) and 24 bit/192 kHz (6.5x more data transmitted than CD).
Create the system that’s perfect for you
Enjoy high-resolution sound with a system from Sony that matches your listening preferences.
How to enjoy high-resolution audio
Buy High-Resolution Audio files from a music service through your computer, Xperia™ smartphone, tablet or Android Walkman® and transfer them to a home audio system or portable device. You can also connect via USB to a home or car audio system for enjoyment anywhere.
Six common high-resolution audio formats
Used in professional equipment for making Super Audio CDs.
A PC-friendly format created for use in computers.
This format was developed for the Windows operating system.
A file format created specifically for Macintosh computers.
Allows 'lossless compression' to save hard drive space while preserving quality.
A lossless compression technology used by Apple.