[High_Q]

They are both 320kbps.  Identical songs.  One has much greater emphasis on bass.  Is this possible?  The file with lack of bass emphasis is from a billboard top 100 compilation and the other from the album.

 

[Vkamicht]

If they are from different CDs or sources then yes, very possible. One could have been equalized.

 

[Roger Strummer]

I haven't read much about the subject (it has been a lot of years since I've lossly compressed music), but another point to check is if they were compressed using different encoders (say iTunes vs LAME), in a quick google search didn't find much about possible bass differences due to this, but maybe someone with knowledge of the subject can comment.

 

[khaos974]

Simply have Audacity do a spectral analysis, and you be clear about how the files are different.

 

[xnor]

It might very well be the case that they altered (EQ?) the songs on that compilation.

 

[nikongod]

Were they ripped with the same codec?

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Simply have Audacity do a spectral analysis, and you be clear about how the files are different.

x2.  My favorite free audio editing program.
 

 

[High_Q]

Quote:

Simply have Audacity do a spectral analysis, and you be clear about how the files are different.

Yeah that sounds the like the best idea to find out.  Thanks.
 

 

[Edwood]

My guess is that they tweaked the EQ, but more likely they upped the gain of the entire track to match the other songs in the compilation disc.  You can also try replay gain to find out if it's the playback volume that's different.  Although you'd probably be able to tell that one is much louder overall than the other one.
 
Is there any clipping in the more bass heavy version?  Likely there is clipping if they pushed the loudness.