Itunes Question

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This could have been asked before, but it's not really easily searchable...

On Itunes, there's an option to import CDs at a lower bitrate, therefore allowing more room on the hard-drive (and presumably the Ipod as well.) My question is, does it make ANY noticeable difference in the sound quality? I have a friend who told me you'd never notice, but I want some second opinions..

― Michael Copeland, Sunday, 13 March 2005 08:03 (twenty years ago)

yes

― The JaXoN 5 (JasonD), Sunday, 13 March 2005 08:06 (twenty years ago)

don't go lower than 128 AAC or 192 mp3, that's my rule of thumb.

― Don't Ever Antagonize The Horny (AaronHz), Sunday, 13 March 2005 08:14 (twenty years ago)

and a very fine rule of thumb it is too.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Sunday, 13 March 2005 19:36 (twenty years ago)

I thought 192mp3 was more equivalent to 160 than 128 AAC?

― Alba (Alba), Sunday, 13 March 2005 19:51 (twenty years ago)

160 is okay

― Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 13 March 2005 19:53 (twenty years ago)

In the end - it depends on your equipment and ears. Many people will be unable to hear the difference between a 128kps mp3 and the original CD.

Why not just try ripping a few tracks at various bitrates, playing them and seeing what if anything bothers you.

― Alba (Alba), Sunday, 13 March 2005 19:55 (twenty years ago)

The damage done listening to CDs at the wrong bitrate is often irreversible, Alba. I think your advice is irresponsible to say the least.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Sunday, 13 March 2005 20:09 (twenty years ago)

You notice it most in the bass. 128 can be a bit thin. But I have an iPod mini so for most music it's a worthwhile trade-off to use 128 get more songs on the device (bass-heavy music I rip at 192).

― Mark (MarkR), Sunday, 13 March 2005 20:43 (twenty years ago)

Mark is right, 128 is too treble-y for some tunes.

― I got the job because I was so mean, while somehow appearing so kind. (AaronHz), Sunday, 13 March 2005 20:46 (twenty years ago)

I've noticed that 128 kb/s encoding seriously messes up songs with heavy stereo panning on them. Things get kinda collapsed up the middle and thus sound less "wide".

― Tantrum (Tantrum The Cat), Sunday, 13 March 2005 20:50 (twenty years ago)

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