Back when Spotify first changed how we listened to music, its convenience was unbeatable. But for many users today, that convenience comes at a cost — the audio just doesn't feel as rich as it should. The convenience is still there for Premium subscribers for the 320Kbps streaming — but the sound? Not quite what it could be. Maybe you've tried burning a playlist to CD or transferring songs to a USB for the car, only to find the frustration is real — great music, but limited by the format and the DRM behind it.
That's where WAV comes in.
WAV is one of the oldest and most trusted audio formats. Developed by Microsoft and IBM, it stores raw, uncompressed audio — meaning you get full, original sound with no loss in bit rate. It's ideal for burning CDs, archiving music, or just keeping it for a better listening experience on any device, whether you're on Windows, Mac, or using older stereo systems that don't support Spotify.
So, can you really convert Spotify tracks to WAV and use them anywhere — in your car, on your stereo, or backed up on a USB?
Yes, you can. And this guide will show you how. All you need is a music converter.
Part 1: Does Spotify Support WAV Format?
Spotify doesn't stream music in WAV. Instead, it uses Ogg Vorbis, a compressed file format that's more efficient. Even with Premium's highest setting — 320 kbps — it's still a lossy stream (the HiFi tier is expected to launch this summer). Compression is meant to remove parts of the sound the ear supposedly can't hear, but in reality, it doesn't always work perfectly.
Some users have noticed this. The sound feels narrower. Cymbals can sound muffled or "underwater." Some even say the browser version sounds clearer than the desktop app, even though both are set to "High" (around 160 kbps).
So, what's missing?
WAV isn't compressed. It keeps every detail of the original sound — from the fade of a snare drum to the shimmer of reverb or the warmth in a vocal. It takes up more space, but it's more accurate. And for many, that's what matters.
Complete guide to Spotify quality and bitrate settings, including what bit-rate Spotify uses, how to reset Spotify bitrate, how to improve spotify quality, etc.
Can I Convert Spotify Music to WAV?
But ripping Ogg Vorbis from Spotify is tough. What about WAV? That's because all Spotify tracks are locked with DRM (Digital Rights Management), which stops sharing. But don't worry — there's still a way. Following is what you exactly need to get started.
Part 2: How to Convert Spotify Music to WAV Files
Even though streaming is the way of the future, there's still something special about owning your music in a format you can keep forever. Whether it's MP3, WAV, or FLAC, ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is all you need. The name says it all — it converts your Spotify music into the format you want, including WAV, MP3, M4A, M4B, FLAC, and AIFF. The best part? You don't need a Premium account to use it; even free account users can unlock DRM-free WAV files.
Tool Required: ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Why choose ViWizard? First, it removes DRM, letting you keep your music without restrictions. Second, it ensures your WAV files retain every bit of the original sound quality — perfect for burning CDs or using your music in other ways. ViWizard also keeps all the important metadata, including song titles, artist names, and album artwork, so your converted files are easy to identify on any device.
Unlike methods that rely on real-time recording, ViWizard offers 15x faster conversion speeds and automatically removes any ads in the free tier. It's simple to use and gets your music collection in the format you want — no streaming subscriptions required. Just remember, this is for personal use only, so keep your WAV files private and avoid unauthorized sharing.
A brilliant Spotify music downloader designed to download and convert Spotify songs, playlists, albums, artists, podcasts, and audiobooks to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly. The sound stays as clear as the original, and all track details are preserved, offering a seamless experience to enjoy your Spotify music offline on any player or device.
| Specification | Details |
| Supported Devices | Windows, Mac |
| Output Formats | WAV, FLAC, MP3, M4A, M4B, AAC |
| Conversion Speed | 5x Faster |
| Ease of Use | High |
| Content Support | Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks (Premium account) |
| Music Source | Exclusively Spotify |
| Unique Features | Customizable output format; Preservation of original audio; Maintenance of metadata; Ad-removal; Editable ID3 tags |
Step 1Download and Install ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Start by downloading the ViWizard Spotify Music Converter for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the setup instructions. After installation, launch the app to start converting your Spotify music.
Step 2Log in to Your Spotify Account
Open ViWizard and log in using your Spotify account credentials. This gives you access to your full Spotify library, including your playlists, albums, and saved tracks. Use the search feature to find the music you want to convert, or browse your playlists. Once you've found the tracks, click the "Add" button to add them to the conversion list.
Step 3Set WAV as the Output Format
Go to the settings menu and select WAV as your desired output format. WAV files are perfect for use on devices and players that support high-quality, lossless audio. You can also adjust the sample rate, bitrate, and audio channels to fine-tune the sound to your preference. Click "OK" to confirm your settings.
Step 4Start the Conversion
Click the "Convert" button to begin converting your selected Spotify tracks into WAV files. ViWizard will process the music quickly, delivering high-quality files. Once the conversion is done, you can find your new WAV files in the output folder, ready to be transferred and played on any compatible device or player.
Part 3: How to Rip WAV Files from Spotify
While converting directly with ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is the fastest way, you can also record Spotify music manually using audio recording software. These music rippers let you capture playback in real-time and save it in WAV format — great if you want more control over editing.
Below are three reliable options that cover different needs, from beginner-friendly to full-featured:
Option 1: ViWizard Audio Capture
ViWizard Audio Capture records audio directly from the Spotify app or web browser and offers editing tools to trim or clean up recordings. It supports WAV along with MP3, M4A, FLAC, and more.
A multifunctional audio recording tool that captures any sound playing on your computer, including streaming music, live radio, game sounds, background music, and online meetings, with built-in auto-splitting and advanced editing features to save recordings in MP3, WAV, and other formats while maintaining the highest quality and embedding track details.
| Specification | Details |
| Supported Devices | Windows, Mac |
| Output Formats | WAV, FLAC, MP3, M4A, M4B, AAC |
| Conversion Speed | Variable |
| Ease of Use | High |
| Content Support | Any Audio from your computer |
| Music Source | Various |
| Unique Features | Built-in cutter; Wide range of output formats; Application-based music source selection; Editing capabilities within the software |
Step 1: Download and install ViWizard Audio Capture from the official website.
Step 2: Make sure the Spotify app is open and playing a track.
Step 3: Launch ViWizard Audio Capture and confirm Spotify is listed as a source.
Step 4: Click the Format button and select WAV. Adjust codec, channel, or sample rate if needed, then click OK.
Step 5: Click Start, then return to Spotify and play your desired music. ViWizard will begin recording automatically.
Step 6: When done, stop the recording. Optionally trim the audio within the editor.
Step 7: Click Save to export the recorded track as a WAV file.
Option 2: Audacity
Audacity is a free, open-source audio recorder that works well for basic recording and editing tasks. It's ideal for users comfortable configuring system audio settings.
| Specification | Details |
| Supported Devices | Windows, Mac |
| Output Formats | WAV, MP3, WMA |
| Conversion Speed | Variable |
| Ease of Use | High |
| Content Support | Any audio from your computer |
| Music Source | Various |
| Unique Features | Built-in cutter; Wide range of output formats; Editing capabilities within the software |
Step 1: Download and install Audacity. Open the app.
Step 2: Go to Edit > Preferences > Devices, and choose your recording input (e.g., Stereo Mix or your system's sound card). Click OK.
Step 3: Hit the red Record button, then start playback in Spotify.
Step 4: Once finished, click the yellow Stop button.
Step 5: Use Audacity's editing tools to trim or adjust volume as needed.
Step 6: Go to File > Export > Export as WAV, name your file, and save it.
Step 7: (Optional) Add metadata tags in the Export Options window and click OK.
Having trouble downloading music from Spotify and play on your own player? Try using Audacity to record them as many as you wish.
Option 3: Apowersoft Streaming Audio Recorder
Streaming Audio Recorder offers a more polished interface with direct WAV export. Note: full features require a subscription ($22.95/month), but you can record one minute for free as a trial.
| Specification | Details |
| Supported Devices | Windows, Mac |
| Output Formats | WAV, MP3, OGG, WMA, FLAC |
| Conversion Speed | Variable |
| Ease of Use | High |
| Content Support | Any audio from your computer |
| Music Source | Various |
| Unique Features | Wide range of output formats; Multi-source audio recording |
Step 1: Download Apowersoft Streaming Audio Recorder from the official site.
Step 2: Open the app and go to Settings > Record Settings.
Step 3: Set Audio Source to System Sound.
Step 4: Click Format and choose WAV.
Step 5: Click Record, then start playing your track on Spotify.
Step 6: Click Stop when done.
Step 7: Go to the Library, right-click the file, and select Open Folder to find your WAV recording.
Part 4: How to Add WAV Files Back to Spotify
The Local Files feature allows you to integrate your personal music library, including WAV files, for a more customized listening experience — all while staying offline. Both Premium and free users can add local files to their desktop app, but syncing these WAV files to the mobile app requires a Premium subscription.
- Prepare Your WAV Files: Make sure your WAV files are saved in a folder on your computer. These can be converted from Spotify using a tool like ViWizard or ripped from CDs.
- Open Spotify on Desktop: Launch the Spotify desktop app. If you don't have it installed, go to the official Spotify website and download it.
- Go to Settings: Click the down-arrow next to your username in the top-right corner and select Settings.
- Enable Local Files: Scroll down to the Local Files section and toggle on Show Local Files to allow Spotify to add your music from your computer.
- Add Your Music Folder: Click Add a Source and select the folder where your WAV files are stored. Spotify will automatically scan the folder and add the files.
- Add Local Files to Playlist: Go to Library and click Local Files. Your WAV files will appear here. Drag and drop them into any playlist.
- Sync to Mobile (Premium Only): If you're a Premium user, you can sync the playlist to your mobile device. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi, and the playlist is downloaded on your desktop. Then, open Spotify on your phone and enjoy your WAV files offline.
Part 5: How to Play WAV Files across Devices
Once you've got your WAV files, playing them beyond Spotify is simple. These files behave just like any other music you own — which means you can move them freely across devices. No streaming, no subscriptions, no strings attached.
Option 1. Use a USB Drive: Move your WAV files to a USB flash drive, just like you would with documents. Plug it into your car stereo, smart TV, or any device with a USB port. It's a quick, offline way to take your music anywhere.
Option 2. Transfer to Your Smartphone: Connect your phone to your computer via USB. Then, drag the WAV files into your phone's music folder. Most music apps — especially on Android — will recognize the files instantly, ready for offline listening.
Option 3. Load onto Tablets or MP3 Players: For tablets or MP3 players, you can use a USB cable or SD card. Just move the WAV files over and play them using the default music player — no internet required, perfect for travel or dedicated listening setups.
Option 4. Back Up to Cloud Storage: Prefer to keep things in the cloud? Upload your WAV files to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. You can stream or download them to any device with access — ideal if you're switching between multiple gadgets.
When moving WAV files, remember they take up more space than other formats, which can affect your device's storage and battery. Some devices might also have trouble showing song details or playing certain audio settings.
Part 7: Best Portable Players for Playing WAV Files
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Portable Media Players:
- FiiO players: Models like the FiiO M11, M15, and others are popular among audiophiles and natively support WAV (and even higher-res formats like FLAC, ALAC, DSD).
- Cowon players: Cowon Plenue series devices are known for supporting a wide range of audio formats, including WAV, and are also favored for very high-quality audio.
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Home Audio Systems:
- Bose SoundTouch speakers: Some models like SoundTouch 20/30 support local music libraries, including WAV files.
- Bluesound Node/Bluesound Pulse: High-end wireless streamers and speakers that support lossless audio, including WAV.
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Other Specific Platforms and Devices:
- Car Infotainment Systems: Many modern car stereo systems (especially those supporting Android Auto or Apple CarPlay) can play WAV files from a USB drive or over Bluetooth (though Bluetooth often re-compresses the signal).
- Smart TVs and Set-Top Boxes: Some smart TVs (like Samsung or LG models) and boxes (like NVIDIA Shield TV) can play WAV files directly through USB or network media servers.
- Gaming Consoles: Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 can read and play WAV files from external storage (USB) or networked media.
Final Words
No matter whether you are a Free or Premium user of Spotify, ViWizard Spotify Music Converter is a great option for you to download Spotify songs to WAV with lossless sound quality. It's full compatible with Windows and Mac, as well as, Spotify. In addition, you can also use Apowersoft Online Audio Recorder to save Spotify to WAV online.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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