MP3s VS CDs

[Codeine]

There is a difference obviously, but what about MP3s encoded at 320 kbps? I have heard about an open source method, called OGG, and I have never heard it for myself.

I find that there is a big difference in the quality of MP3s, and CDs that I owb. Which is why I buy CDs.

What is your preference and why?

[ScotchGuy]

I like not paying for things, this is especially true when I can receive the same quality for free as I could for paying for it.

I say 320 kbps is equal to CD. I can't tell the difference, I think the only person that could would be Waz.

I VOTE MP3, even if there is some tiny difference between 320 and CD quality I still wouldn't care because I'm a cheap bastard.

[Codeine]

A lot of people can tell the difference, certain CDs have things printed on to the actual disc that can't be emulated into information. I would hate to listen to Kid A on MP3s

I voted CDs.

[ScotchGuy]

Yeah, I suppose some people could tell the difference, luckily I am not one of them.

I just don't see how MP3's at 320 kbps (CD Quality) is any different from CD's, perhaps someone more learned on the subject can clarify.

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

Normal Audio CD's are encoded at 128 kbps, but as things chnage. The concept of much clear and transparent.

MP3s encoded at 320 kbps are same as listening to an audio CD. Can't really tell the difference.

I say, if you got money go for a smooth analog sound i.e. CDs they are great to listen to.

And if not get a nice MP3 encoded at atleast 128 kbps.

[Jet Set Willy]

Originally posted by Pornography@Nov 23 2003, 06:56 AM
A lot of people can tell the difference, certain CDs have things printed on to the actual disc that can't be emulated into information.

Not exactly. MP3 works by stripping 'inaudible' (that's a lie) frequencies from the final file. 320kbps is okay, really. It's hard to tell the difference on most speaker or headphone setups, and you'd really have to be looking for faults very much.

OGG is much better than MP3.

I like CDs, but I can't afford any.

[El Fugitivo]

I prefer CDs, as I like the tactile and visual experience of opening up the case, looking through the booklet, reading the lyrics, etc. In fact, If I'm at the store trying to decide between two CDs I want to buy, one of the most important features for me is how thick the CD booklet seems to be (by looking at it through the bottom edge of the case).


As far as mp3s go, I tend to think that under the right circumstances, they can sound as good as CDs if you're just passively listening to it. I wouldn't want to listen to more atmospheric music as mp3s (things that require a more active listen for me would be post-rock [Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Godspeed You Black Emperor], certain electronic artists [Boards Of Canada and Brian Eno especially], and other artists that incorporate higher than hi-fi elements in their music [Radiohead's the only band I can think of right now]). I don't mind mp3s for lo-fi stuff (Pavement, The Microphones, Heavy Vegetable) from an aural standpoint, but I do prefer CDs, as I said above, because of the whole experience, and also because I feel a need to own the things I like and support the people who create them.


I recently started the fairly large project of ripping all my CDs into mp3s so that when I do get a hardware mp3 player I will be able to fill it with music as soon as I open the box. I'm using EAC (alot of my CDs are incredibly scratched) to rip them, and LAME to encode the WAVs as mp3s (using the r3mix settings for 192kbps VBR quality). I am planning on testing ogg against mp3 once I get to my Kid A CD.

[Jet Set Willy]

I don't really know why everybody is using Kid A as a reference point. I remember most of the songs being quite lo-fi.

Fatboy Slim - California is a great reference track, and also Aphex Twin - 4.

[hitmonlee]

cds

i like the covers and stuff
having the official release
yeah

[M.H.A.Q.S.]

I made several Audio CDs myself. I had Sonic Foundry Sound Forge 7.0, and 100s of mp3s and CDRs and 100s of minutes of free time...

So I burned them and made my own Audio CDs, got the covers off the net and voila...A complete collection of songs...with not much of a difference from original CDs. As my Mp3s were 320 kbps transparent CD audio quality.