ACC vs. MP3

[Dutchess of York]

Before i download about 50 cds, anybody know which has a better quality

ACC at 256kbps

or
MP3 at 192kbps

(would use lossless, but it wont fin on my ipod)

 

[Febs]

They are both likely to be indistinguishable from the uncompressed original. But only you can determine what sounds best to you.

P.S. Don't use 192kbps CBR. Use LAME's -V2 setting.

 

[Dutchess of York]

CBR? is that another format?

 

[Sir Nobax]

AAC is superior to MP3, by a pretty big margin IMO.

CBR = constant bitrate
VBR = variable bitrate

 

[Sir Nobax]

Ahum, this might help you out a little:

LINKY

On the fist page there are the Lame 3.97 graphs and Nero AAC, on page 7 iTunes' AAC.

...this isn't 100% reliable, but at least it gives you an idea.

And no, i ain't waiting for flaming + spam + other BS.

 

[bigshot]

I would recommend trying the settings out by encoding some of your music at 192 VBR and 256 VBR. I find that AAC sounds better at smaller file sizes than MP3, so I use 192 VBR AAC for all my music.

See ya
Steve

 

[Sir Nobax]

I think he means that he has a choice, as he says "Before i download about 50 cds".

So it would be only:
256kbps AAC vs 192kbps MP3

And in that case AAC wins big time.

 

[Redo]

If AAC is compatible with everything you need, AAC for sure.

 

[opiumden34]

I suggest not doing what I have done in the past: lose sleep and spend too much time thinking about the perfect bitrate. I have a hard enough time telling 128 cbr mp3 from the wav. Yes, I know, I have horrible ears.

 

[terrymx]

I actaully prefer higher than 192kbs mp3 because of the harsher high characteristic.

I would recommmend 256kbs AAC, but only if your external devices support it or you dont have problem with compatibility, since mp3 is more widely supported.

 

[rhythmdevils]

just curious, why higher bitrate aac?

but yes, aac will give you better sound for a given bitrate. but either one will sound just like the original unless you have a crazy good system

 

[Jigglybootch]

I'm not a big fan of AAC. At low bit rates I think AAC sounds a little better, but once you start getting up past 160 kbps, I find mp3 far more pleasing.

 

[Alleyman]

Please don't go by graphs, go by your ears (it's like trying to find out the quality of a photo by 'hearing' it). For optimum compatibility you can use LAME MP3 at V2 or higher.

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigglybootch /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not a big fan of AAC. At low bit rates I think AAC sounds a little better, but once you start getting up past 160 kbps, I find mp3 far more pleasing.

Above 256, I don't just find AAC pleasing... I find it to be virtually identical to the original rip.

See ya
Steve

 

[Sir Nobax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Above 256, I don't just find AAC pleasing... I find it to be virtually identical to the original rip. See ya Steve

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