[Graphicism]

cbr, abr, 128 kbps, 160 kbps, 192 kbps, 256 kbps, 320 kbps, 384 kbps.....

I am looking to download some music and have the above options, I downloaded one in abr 192 kbps and it sounded about right, is there any need to go higher?

 

[HollisBrown]

I can't really notice the difference between one that's 192 kbps and higher, but then again I'm not an audiophile. Judging by the fact that you're listening to mp3's, I'm geussing you aren't either. Why don't you download a song in a higher bit rate and then see if you can notice the difference?

 

[Graphicism]

Yes true... I am getting into this whole audio business with some SA3Ks arriving tomorrow

- I will wait until then and do what you suggest, download the 2 and see if I can tell a difference.

 

[anyatinagan]

Just a suggestion - try listening to something encoded in 128, 160 and then your preferred high bitrate, that way you'll be able to more accurately discern the imperfections, having listened to the song at a low bitrate.

But if you can tell the difference from a 160 to a 192 then there's no need for you to go any lower

 

[PSmith08]

All of these are good suggestions. For most listening, 128 or 192 kbps is probably alright. However, you should get several versions of your song at various bitrates and test them out on your rig. Some kinds of music necessarily lend themselves to higher bitrates, such as classical; however, a lot of stuff is going to sound fine at 128 and anything above is a waste of space.

 

[RotAtoR]

384kbps, eh? You must be using that one certain online music store.

Last I knew, all albums that weren't available at "up to CD-DA" quality use 384kbps mp3s as the source. So keep in mind that if you choose anything less than 384kbps mp3, the tracks may be transcoded from that mp3 source.

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graphicism cbr, abr, 128 kbps, 160 kbps, 192 kbps, 256 kbps, 320 kbps, 384 kbps..... I am looking to download some music and have the above options, I downloaded one in abr 192 kbps and it sounded about right, is there any need to go higher?

Just use VBR, and let the encoder decide. Lame --alt-preset standard or extreme should do the trick.

Edit -- oh, downloading? Hmmm... 192kbps is a good compromise.

 

[fjf]

I usually go 320. AFAIK there is no portable device that reads above that.

 

[shasty]

I personally couldn't find a difference between 192 vbr and 320

 

[ssportclay]

Recommended when setting up lame-VBR(very good quality): --alt-preset standard %s %d

 

[LFF]

I'd say nothing under 192. You lose a great amount of quality if you go below 192.

 

[enjoi_rootbeer]

i use 224

...don't portables start using more battery when it's endcoded at 256 or higher?

 

[asmox]

I use LAME's alt-preset standard and I'd be hard pressed to notice the difference between that and the CD.

That's usually around ~200kbps.

edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSmith08 a lot of stuff is going to sound fine at 128 and anything above is a waste of space.

That, however, I can't agree with. The most immediate thing you'll notice is that cymbals sound terrible at 128kbps.. I'm not even an audiophile, and I can immediately point out the differences between 128 and anything higher.

 

[ojnihs]

I like to keep it at 224 kbps or above, anything lower doesn't seem to sit very well with me...

 

[iSleipnir]

I use 192 vbr only on my portable player. I use much higher in my cmoputer.