[Kel Ghu]

I'd say WoW factor goes upto $300. Then after that, it's more a matter of taste. The most important is to know what kind of sound you like. Then buy it and stick with it.
But don't start seeking the best... I started this madness with HD555 ($100) last January... It's now June and look at my signature... I have Ultrasone Edition 9 ($1400) and Ultimate Ear 11 ($1100)...

 

[jdouglas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSi /img/forum/go_quote.gif vbr = saves space, but VERY bad =P

Why? VBR is a newer, smarter algorithm than CBR, which figures out where extra bits are wasted, and gets rid of them. You save disk space, with no distinguishable difference in SQ. The only place nowadays I can think of where CBR is still useful, is devices needing real-time recording, which can't afford to do the VBR optimization.

 

[Scott549]

Lame Encoder at V0 setting gives me VBR mp3 files a little over 200 kbps, typically, and they sound pretty damn good.

 

[Kel Ghu]

VBR 256kbps > CBR 256kbps no matter what.