D
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Hi guys, like all of you I have been pandered by a plethora of streaming apps/services. After a longish stint with Tidal I was finally getting upset with its sound quality (the resolution notwithstanding), boring interface and relatively unintelligent music prediction.
So, over the last two months I was trying out a number of streaming services, from Apple Music (my first go to as I am an Apple gadget person) to YouTube (the strong upcoming contender) to Gaana, Spotify, Hungama and Saregama. Some of these, like Apple Music and Spotify I had subscribed to in the past.
There are a number of things to like about each. For example, Apple Music’s solid UI, lyrics support and Shazam integration, YT Music’s huge collection including videos, Spotify’s native integration with my CXN streamer and general sound quality, Gaana’s Indian collection, Hungama’s value for money and Saregama’s Classical focus.
But then there were some downsides (for me at least) for each of these services. While Apple Music alters the SQ to a noticeable extent, I hate Spotify’s UI and colors, Gaana is too cluttered (attempts too many things), Hungama’s collection, especially international is limited, YT Music sounds distinctly bright and Saregama is focused only on one genre.
Spotify and Gaana were quickly eliminated as I cannot tolerate UI’s I don’t like. I was bored with Apple Music after having subscribed to it since it launched in India. The brightness made me eliminate YT Music as well though I liked everything else about it. The price equation also didn’t favour YT Music. I wanted to subscribe to Saregama Classical, but found its collection too limited and the app too error-prone/buggy. Their curated daily program is unmatched though.
By elimination you’d have guessed what I opted for. Yes, the surprising choice: Hungama Pro! I bet not more than a handful of you are subscribed to it/ ever were, and probably half of you aren’t even aware of the app. I too wasn’t till a couple of months ago.
But it is actually one of the oldest streaming services in the country. And from a focused online media company backed by the legendary investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala who knows a good business prospect when he sees one.
While that adds to the emotional quotient, it doesn’t make sound logic to subscribe. But my experience during the month long trial gave me enough reasons to put down the money. Firstly, the interface - it is a delightful departure from the rest of the crowd while not getting too unconventional like Saregama Classical. Its freshness kept me interested. There are some unique features for example gaming (you get points every time you like a song/album/playlist and can redeem points for gifts/subscription). One of the best features I liked and kept going back to are the Hungama Radio stations, which sounded better in the app (HD quality) than through the inbuilt tuner in the CXN (at 96 kbps only). Now, these are proper stations and some like Hungama B&W, Hindustani Classical, Carnatic Classical, Ghazals, Artist Aloud (unreleased music) offer good value to listeners.
Another plus was their content in my mother tongue - Marathi. And the way the app kept coming up with playlists that appealed to me while not being an overkill. I find its regional content to be a strength. Overall it gives a very Indian feel to the user. I don’t think the content will compete on quantity with the bigger players, but it does a remarkable job in terms of getting me to the music that I end up liking.
But all of these would have amounted to nothing for the audiophile in me if the sound quality was not upto mark. And I can vouch for it now after comparing hard and long with other options. Hungama doesn’t sound distorted to me in any way, it feels like a balanced (neither bright, nor dull) sound. I don’t know what the HD resolution (for Pro i.e. paid users) is, but my guess is 256 or 320 kbps.
And, last but not the least, at Rs 499 for an annual subscription it is easily the most cost effective of all the options. It is actually what one pays for a quarter on some of the competition. Though this wasn’t my primary reason, it is also not insignificant.
So that’s it. I felt like sharing my experience and decision with you. Each one of us values different things and so there’s room for so many apps. But it’s possible that some of you, with similar sensibilities as mine might try Hungama out and probably like it too after reading this. Especially those with a bit old-world preference and not hung up on quantity. I was myself surprised how this left-field choice managed to keep me interested, engaged and happy through the trial month. I can’t say how long it will continue to do so. But as of now I am feeling good and right about the decision.
I shall leave you with a few screenshots of the app for visual pleasure.
A 2009 Forbes story on the founder of Hungama. What stands out is how they’ve managed to remain real in a world that depends excessively on optics.
www.forbesindia.com
Also, what I guessed above, about Hungama’s regional music prowess, seems to be a conscious strategy as this keynote address by the CEO at a musical event suggests:
www.thehindu.com
So, over the last two months I was trying out a number of streaming services, from Apple Music (my first go to as I am an Apple gadget person) to YouTube (the strong upcoming contender) to Gaana, Spotify, Hungama and Saregama. Some of these, like Apple Music and Spotify I had subscribed to in the past.
There are a number of things to like about each. For example, Apple Music’s solid UI, lyrics support and Shazam integration, YT Music’s huge collection including videos, Spotify’s native integration with my CXN streamer and general sound quality, Gaana’s Indian collection, Hungama’s value for money and Saregama’s Classical focus.
But then there were some downsides (for me at least) for each of these services. While Apple Music alters the SQ to a noticeable extent, I hate Spotify’s UI and colors, Gaana is too cluttered (attempts too many things), Hungama’s collection, especially international is limited, YT Music sounds distinctly bright and Saregama is focused only on one genre.
Spotify and Gaana were quickly eliminated as I cannot tolerate UI’s I don’t like. I was bored with Apple Music after having subscribed to it since it launched in India. The brightness made me eliminate YT Music as well though I liked everything else about it. The price equation also didn’t favour YT Music. I wanted to subscribe to Saregama Classical, but found its collection too limited and the app too error-prone/buggy. Their curated daily program is unmatched though.
By elimination you’d have guessed what I opted for. Yes, the surprising choice: Hungama Pro! I bet not more than a handful of you are subscribed to it/ ever were, and probably half of you aren’t even aware of the app. I too wasn’t till a couple of months ago.
But it is actually one of the oldest streaming services in the country. And from a focused online media company backed by the legendary investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala who knows a good business prospect when he sees one.
While that adds to the emotional quotient, it doesn’t make sound logic to subscribe. But my experience during the month long trial gave me enough reasons to put down the money. Firstly, the interface - it is a delightful departure from the rest of the crowd while not getting too unconventional like Saregama Classical. Its freshness kept me interested. There are some unique features for example gaming (you get points every time you like a song/album/playlist and can redeem points for gifts/subscription). One of the best features I liked and kept going back to are the Hungama Radio stations, which sounded better in the app (HD quality) than through the inbuilt tuner in the CXN (at 96 kbps only). Now, these are proper stations and some like Hungama B&W, Hindustani Classical, Carnatic Classical, Ghazals, Artist Aloud (unreleased music) offer good value to listeners.
Another plus was their content in my mother tongue - Marathi. And the way the app kept coming up with playlists that appealed to me while not being an overkill. I find its regional content to be a strength. Overall it gives a very Indian feel to the user. I don’t think the content will compete on quantity with the bigger players, but it does a remarkable job in terms of getting me to the music that I end up liking.
But all of these would have amounted to nothing for the audiophile in me if the sound quality was not upto mark. And I can vouch for it now after comparing hard and long with other options. Hungama doesn’t sound distorted to me in any way, it feels like a balanced (neither bright, nor dull) sound. I don’t know what the HD resolution (for Pro i.e. paid users) is, but my guess is 256 or 320 kbps.
And, last but not the least, at Rs 499 for an annual subscription it is easily the most cost effective of all the options. It is actually what one pays for a quarter on some of the competition. Though this wasn’t my primary reason, it is also not insignificant.
So that’s it. I felt like sharing my experience and decision with you. Each one of us values different things and so there’s room for so many apps. But it’s possible that some of you, with similar sensibilities as mine might try Hungama out and probably like it too after reading this. Especially those with a bit old-world preference and not hung up on quantity. I was myself surprised how this left-field choice managed to keep me interested, engaged and happy through the trial month. I can’t say how long it will continue to do so. But as of now I am feeling good and right about the decision.
I shall leave you with a few screenshots of the app for visual pleasure.
A 2009 Forbes story on the founder of Hungama. What stands out is how they’ve managed to remain real in a world that depends excessively on optics.
Value Before Valuation - Forbes India
Neeraj Roy was caught in the middle of the IT bust. A calm head and feet firmly planted on the ground saw him emerge from the rubble around him
Also, what I guessed above, about Hungama’s regional music prowess, seems to be a conscious strategy as this keynote address by the CEO at a musical event suggests:
A call to mainstream the ‘lost genres’
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. I guess Amazon HD is not available in India?
