how music can help your dog

how music can help your dog

Five Things To Consider When Choosing Your Radio Streaming Service

by Samu Koskela

Studies show that Americans listen to music an average of 26.9 hours a week. People often listen while working, traveling, or relaxing. Private music collections are becoming less common as more people sign up for radio streaming services. When choosing a music radio streaming service, there is no shortage of options available. From big-name services to smaller, niche services, each provider offers something different that might interest you. Below are some of the most common things you should consider before committing to a single provider. 

Cost

One of the most important for many people when choosing online services is the cost, and the cost of radio streaming can vary from free music supported by advertisements to several hundred dollars a year. Additionally, the type of payment may vary. Some providers may offer monthly payment options, while other providers will want you to sign up for a full year. Many services offer monthly or yearly subscriptions, with a considerable discount if you sign up for a year.  

Quality

The quality of the music you listen to will depend on the type of files and compression the service uses. While many people are okay with moderate compression, others prefer listening to lossless or CD-quality sound. Many services will allow you to pay more each month to access higher-quality music while others only offer either moderate-quality or high-quality music. Keep in mind that the quality of your speakers or headphones will also determine the final sound quality you hear. 

Platform Availability

Online streaming can be reached through many devices including tablets, cell phones, and computers. If you plan on switching between devices, it is helpful to have your account available on each device. Also, you may want to choose services that use a dedicated application as opposed to a web browser for the best interface. 

Library Size

Each radio streaming service hosts a different library of music, podcasts, and programs. Some services offer a wide variety of music, while others serve niche categories. If you have eclectic tastes in music or are looking for talk radio as opposed to just music, it is important for you to find a service that offers the type of experience you are looking for. Most services have a free version that will allow you to try the service and make sure the music you want is available. 

As an additional note, you may want to consider how the service recommends music. Are you able to listen to DJed sets? Can you build your own playlists? Does the service offer suggestions to help you find the latest music you might like? This is especially important if you want to keep up with the latest trends in your favorite genres. 

Sharing and Offline Options

Streaming services offer different levels of interaction when it comes to social sharing. For example, some services will allow you to freely share your playlists, while others will require you to register as a radio station to curate music. Additionally, many services offer friends and family plans that allow multiple devices within your family to share a registration. This can allow you to easily share your favorite stations with family members. 

Offline listening can be important if you often go to areas with poor internet access or if you want to save data. These can allow you to download songs, playlists, or your favorite radio programs to listen to whenever you want. However, these services often come with a higher price tag than fully online streaming. 

When you're ready to choose a streaming service, you should try a few different free versions and determine which features are important to you as a listener. 

To learn more, try out music radio streaming services.


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About Me

how music can help your dog

Do you have dogs in the home that suffer from anxiety? If so, have you ever tried playing soothing music during the times that the anxiety seems to be at its worst? I had a dog that would literally dig his way through walls when he couldn't see any of the family around. After reading some articles about the calming effects of music on a dog, I began leaving a radio on in my bedroom with him when I had to go to work. It did the trick. Continue reading what I have included here on my blog to learn more about the effects of music on your dog.