Save Space, Read This (on the encoding of music files)

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/do_...off?page=0%2C0


Seems like FLAC or WAV arent that much better than a well compressed MP3 file...

I wonder if the itunes mp3 coder was the best to use according to this reply.

iTunes mp3 encoder IS THE WORST ON THE PLANET
Submitted by anubisjr on Mon, 2007-04-23 03:29.

...if you want a fair test, use either the LAME or Fraunhauer codecs. iTunes uses an inferior mp3 encoder so their AAC will sound better by comparison. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself using both iTunes and Music Match Jukebox. The results are startling, even at 320kbps.
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Actually, I've read and listened to results myself, and only just recently came across flac files (less then 5 months ago), and I definitely hear the missing high frequency harmonics left in the flac files. I even have the exact same music encoded in 320 Kbps mp3, and they sound duller than the flac music, so it really does matter... if you've got the ear for it.

But, some music you really can't tell much difference in. MP3 really does lose some higher and lower end harmoics. It's kinda like cutting off the top and bottom of a wave graph, but only just enough so it's hardly noticeable to the average ear.

__missing high frequencies________


MP3 encoding frequency range, and average human hearing range

______________________________
. . missing low frequency range

I can tell ya, on the M6, my flac files sound way better than the mp3 files, no matter what quality the mp3 files are at.

The only way to really make this choice for yourself is performing your own double blind test.

Once upon a time, I was anal enough to actually do such a thing. I took a copy off a CD in CDDA (the data as it is on the CD) and converted it to MP3 @ 192 kbps and AAC @ 128 kbps. On the equipment I use to listen to my music (and that's kind of an important detail, who cares about studio monitors if you'll never use them) I couldn't tell them apart. There are programs for this, for example Apple Quicktime will let you start different files and play them at the very same time but it will only let you hear the frontmost window. By clicking through the windows, you can hear all of the files. Doing this, I was trying to tag the correct file. I thought the CDDA was the MP3 and vice versa.

These days, still being somewhat anal, I've switched to using EAC secure mode with LAME and the old alt--standard preset. I honestly believe it's the best way out there.

Once upon a time, I encoded many m4a's (aac) files, because I had an iPod at the time. You know what, I can't use those on my miniplayer. Right now, I really believe compatibility (both vertically and horizontally - in time and space) is much more important than perceived audio quality.

I must say though, with a format like FLAC, you can have the best of both words. As it's a lossless format, you can re-code it at any time, should the need arise to play it somewhere where FLAC can't be played.
BUT, they are so big, and I can't tell the difference anyway.

I agree on the Itunes mp3 encoder, its terrible
luckily I dont use Itunes at all

I don't use FLAC myself as as Zaan mentioned the files are just too big.
For now ill stick with Mp3 VBR at like 192 kb... that seems to be fine for me and plays everywhere