Here are a few more randomly selected Tidal HiFi vs MQA 30 second statistical comparisons:
Fleetwood Mac “Landslide:”
Statistics for: Landslide_HiFi
Number of samples: 1323000
Duration: 0:30
Left Right
Peak Value: -15.61 dB — -15.47 dB
Avg RMS: -30.69 dB — -29.19 dB
DR channel: 9.43 dB — 9.79 dB
Statistics for: Landslide_MQA
Number of samples: 1323000
Duration: 0:30
Left Right
Peak Value: -15.45 dB — -13.55 dB
Avg RMS: -29.55 dB — -27.53 dB
DR channel: 10.05 dB — 10.55 dB
“Landslide” HiFi and MQA are different masterings. Apples to apples MQA listening comparisons are not possible.
Blur “Parklife:”
Statistics for: Parklife_HiFi
Number of samples: 1323000
Duration: 0:30
Left Right
Peak Value: -6.30 dB — -6.29 dB
Avg RMS: -18.34 dB — -18.16 dB
DR channel: 10.05 dB — 9.73 dB
Statistics for: Parklife_MQA
Number of samples: 1323000
Duration: 0:30
Left Right
Peak Value: -6.10 dB — -6.10 dB
Avg RMS: -18.15 dB — -17.96 dB
DR channel: 10.05 dB — 9.73 dB
“Parklife” HiFi and MQA are the same mastering. However, MQA has been level adjusted +0.20 dB. Apples to apples MQA listening comparisons are possible with level normalization.
The Doors “People Are Strange:”
Statistics for: PeopleAreStrange_HiFi
Number of samples: 1323000
Duration: 0:30
Left Right
Peak Value: -6.52 dB — -6.12 dB
Avg RMS: -21.72 dB — -21.87 dB
DR channel: 11.54 dB — 12.36 dB
Statistics for: PeopleAreStrange_MQA
Number of samples: 1323000
Duration: 0:30
Left Right
Peak Value: -10.09 dB — -10.74 dB
Avg RMS: -23.97 dB — -25.22 dB
DR channel: 10.34 dB — 11.45 dB
“People Are Strange” HiFi and MQA are different masterings. Apples to apples MQA listening comparisons are not possible.
David Bowie “Young Americans:”
Statistics for: YoungAmericans_HiFi
Number of samples: 1323000
Duration: 0:30
Left Right
Peak Value: -6.32 dB — -6.30 dB
Avg RMS: -19.52 dB — -19.44 dB
DR channel: 11.69 dB — 11.62 dB
Statistics for: YoungAmericans_MQA
Number of samples: 1323000
Duration: 0:30
Left Right
Peak Value: -6.04 dB — -6.01 dB
Avg RMS: -19.25 dB — -19.17 dB
DR channel: 11.70 dB — 11.62 dB
“Young Americans” HiFi and MQA are the same mastering. However, MQA has been level adjusted +0.27 dB. Apples to apples MQA listening comparisons are possible with level normalization.
In summary, the above statistics show that legitimate listening comparisons between Tidal HiFi and MQA may be difficult to achieve. Perceived differences may be attributable to different masterings or different recorded levels, not necessarily to MQA enhancements.
AJ