SomaFM is experimenting with next-generation streaming technologies, specifically known as HLS fMP4 (fragmented MP4) streaming.
HLS uses normal "web" (https) protocols to deliver a seqence of files that are then turned into an audio stream. HLS is more resiliant on high-speed networks, both mobile and fixed.
Please note: many browsers won't open these stream links directly, only the web player links. You'll need to copy and paste the stream links into your player.
While there are many players that support HLS, many still do not support metadata display (e.g. Artist, Title). For developers, here is documentation on Standards-Based HLS Audio Metadata - Parsing and Displaying.
Web Player: Compatible with most recent browsers. Press play to start (it does not autostart).
Stream URL:
https://hls.somafm.com/hls/groovesalad/FLAC/program.m3u8
Apple iTunes or Music.app (Alternatively, Copy and paset into Open Stream URL dialog if browser doesn't open):
itals://hls.somafm.com/hls/groovesalad/FLAC/program.m3u8
Web Player: AAC streams compatible with almost all web browsers.
Stream URL:
https://hls.somafm.com/hls/groovesalad/320k/program.m3u8
Apple iTunes or Music.app (Alternatively, Copy and paset into Open Stream URL dialog if browser doesn't open):
itals://hls.somafm.com/hls/groovesalad/320k/program.m3u8
Stream URL:
https://hls.somafm.com/hls/groovesalad/128k/program.m3u8
Apple iTunes or Music.app (Alternatively, Copy and paset into Open Stream URL dialog if browser doesn't open):
itals://hls.somafm.com/hls/groovesalad/128k/program.m3u8
Stream URL:
https://hls.somafm.com/hls/groovesalad/64k/program.m3u8
Apple iTunes or Music.app (Alternatively, Copy and paset into Open Stream URL dialog if browser doesn't open):
itals://hls.somafm.com/hls/groovesalad/64k/program.m3u8
For best surround results, use the StreamS HiFi Radio app on iOS and tvOS. You may need to manually add these streams to your favorites as they are not in the directory. The StreamS tvOS app is the easiest way to listen to surround streams.
(This will downmix to stereo on non-surround playback systems and browsers not setup for surround)
Web Player: If your browser is configured for surround sound (e.g. for Netflix), it should play this stream in surround.
Stream URL:
https://hls.somafm.com/hls//gs-surround/320k/program.m3u8
Apple iTunes or Music.app (Alternatively, Copy and paset into Open Stream URL dialog if browser doesn't open):
itals://hls.somafm.com/hls/gs-surround/program.m3u8
This is a stereo stream available in multiple bitrates of the pre-Orban 1600n Processor audio. Use these streams to compare the sound quality to the sound of the Orban 1600n processor.
FLAC Web Player
FLAC Stream URL:
https://hls.somafm.com/hls/gs-unprocessed/FLAC/program.m3u8
Apple iTunes or Music.app (Alternatively, Copy and paset into Open Stream URL dialog if browser doesn't open):
itals://hls.somafm.com/hls/gs-unprocessed/FLAC/program.m3u8
320k Unprocessed Web Player
320k Unprocessed Stream URL:
https://hls.somafm.com/hls/gs-unprocessed/320k/program.m3u8
Apple iTunes or Music.app (Alternatively, Copy and paset into Open Stream URL dialog if browser doesn't open):
itals://hls.somafm.com/hls/gs-unprocessed/320k/program.m3u8
64k Unprocessed Web Player
64k Unprocessed Stream URL:
https://hls.somafm.com/hls/gs-unprocessed/64k/program.m3u8
Apple iTunes or Music.app (Alternatively, Copy and paset into Open Stream URL dialog if browser doesn't open):
itals://hls.somafm.com/hls/gs-unprocessed/64k/program.m3u8
Find out more about it here.
HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) supports the inclusion of timed metadata in ID3 format. This is the metadata format we are using.
This Specification defines how ID3 metadata can be carried as timed metadata in Common Media Application Format (CMAF) compatible fragmented MP4 streams using Event Message ('emsg') boxes.
Please contact SomaFM if you have questions about these streams.