Can you tell 128kbps and 320 apart? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

MooglePorn · 07-24-2007, 02:44 PM

So I recently did a test with my music since people were really harping on me about 128kbps being crap and iTunes "screwing me" by making me pay for "horrible quality."

So, through the same exact speakers, good speakers mind you, I rebruned some CDs in 320kbps and played them back to back with their 128kbps counterparts.

I seriously can't tell any difference at all. What am I missing?

Wilson · 07-24-2007, 03:02 PM

Never compared AAC files but I could with MP3's

Oddly enough I always change the default setting in iTunes to 256 for ripping with the idea that more must be better. right?? In the new version of iTunes they actually give you that option now, you don't have to use a custom setting.

MooglePorn · 07-24-2007, 03:15 PM

Yeah, but I'm not going to reburn everything when I can't tell a difference, and if I could tell I wouldn't want to download from iTunes anyway since it mostly offers only 128.

I did my test with standard MP3 by the way, not iTunes AAc format.

firestorm · 07-24-2007, 03:37 PM

I haven't done any extensive A/B comparisons or blind testing, but I definitely hear a difference with some of my 128kb MP3s. However, they were ripped more than 10 years ago, on old equipment with software that didn't do error checking. The new files are FLAC, and thus lossless, and were ripped with EAC w/ accurip. With the better 128kb files, the difference is often negligible. It's mainly things you sense and barely "register" consciously; detail in the highs for example, or things just seem to sound less lively or real. Could be the placebo effect though.

I've been meaning to do more comprehensive comparisons, and just haven't had a good opportunity.

Reaver · 07-24-2007, 03:49 PM

It could just all be in my head, but I swear I hear a difference. It's a certain crispness of sound, a fullness, and the louder it's played the more difference I can hear.

MooglePorn · 07-30-2007, 07:39 PM

I forgot to post I did a second test with Smashing Pumpkins' "Adore" in which I thought the CD audio was richer and more crisp. Today I did a third test with TV on the Radio's "Return to Cookie Mountain" and right from the beginning with the heavy bass the difference is obvious on my awesome speakers (less so with headphones, probably because of no subwoofer)... The bass was just much deeper and more rich from the CD, as well as being more... I don't know the word... precise? Something like that.

So 2 for CD being better and 1 for no difference, and the 1 was a folk/country style CD... so... yeah.

I'm back to CDs.

Which sucks because the iTunes exclusive song on the new Pumpkins is the best on the stupid album.

View Poll Results: Can you tell a differnce?
Yes!	6	54.55%
No!	2	18.18%
Yes, but barely!	3	27.27%
I think CD is too low and buy DVD audio!	0	0%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

07-24-2007, 02:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Can you tell 128kbps and 320 apart? So I recently did a test with my music since people were really harping on me about 128kbps being crap and iTunes "screwing me" by making me pay for "horrible quality." So, through the same exact speakers, good speakers mind you, I rebruned some CDs in 320kbps and played them back to back with their 128kbps counterparts. I seriously can't tell any difference at all. What am I missing?

07-24-2007, 03:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wilson DVDFile HT Award Winner Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	Never compared AAC files but I could with MP3's Oddly enough I always change the default setting in iTunes to 256 for ripping with the idea that more must be better. right?? In the new version of iTunes they actually give you that option now, you don't have to use a custom setting. __________________ Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead. -HJS

07-24-2007, 03:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
firestorm Actor Join Date: Sep 2005	I haven't done any extensive A/B comparisons or blind testing, but I definitely hear a difference with some of my 128kb MP3s. However, they were ripped more than 10 years ago, on old equipment with software that didn't do error checking. The new files are FLAC, and thus lossless, and were ripped with EAC w/ accurip. With the better 128kb files, the difference is often negligible. It's mainly things you sense and barely "register" consciously; detail in the highs for example, or things just seem to sound less lively or real. Could be the placebo effect though. I've been meaning to do more comprehensive comparisons, and just haven't had a good opportunity. __________________ My Movies: http://movies.tjapkes.com

07-24-2007, 03:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Reaver Metrosexual in Training Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Beyond the outer rim...	It could just all be in my head, but I swear I hear a difference. It's a certain crispness of sound, a fullness, and the louder it's played the more difference I can hear. __________________ My personal website (get updates on my novel) The Dead Robots' Society (a podcast I co-host with other writers on writing)

07-24-2007, 03:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Yeah, but I'm not going to reburn everything when I can't tell a difference, and if I could tell I wouldn't want to download from iTunes anyway since it mostly offers only 128. I did my test with standard MP3 by the way, not iTunes AAc format.

07-30-2007, 07:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	I forgot to post I did a second test with Smashing Pumpkins' "Adore" in which I thought the CD audio was richer and more crisp. Today I did a third test with TV on the Radio's "Return to Cookie Mountain" and right from the beginning with the heavy bass the difference is obvious on my awesome speakers (less so with headphones, probably because of no subwoofer)... The bass was just much deeper and more rich from the CD, as well as being more... I don't know the word... precise? Something like that. So 2 for CD being better and 1 for no difference, and the 1 was a folk/country style CD... so... yeah. I'm back to CDs. Which sucks because the iTunes exclusive song on the new Pumpkins is the best on the stupid album.

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