MP3 Formats
Posted by: wal riley on 27 April 2005
Ok, so i've got my Etymotic ER6i's at last, to go with the Creative Zen. One final question remains; which compression format to go for, or-to put it another way- which one does the lesser damage? At the mo, it's set to 320kbs MP3. Would the same bit rate in WMA be an improvement? Obviously, WAV file format would be the best, but it would eat my batteries! Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Posted on: 27 April 2005 by Berlin Fritz
Sounds like one for Our Mat to translate Son!
Fritz Von He was a good lad but got into the wrong company
Posted on: 28 April 2005 by Rasher
I bought an ipod recently and was wondering what compression to use, and even if to use the best rate I could get, but then I remembered why I had an ipod. You shouldn't start to use space unnecessarily and if you want hifi quality, then that is what our systems are for. The best idea is to record a few tracks at different compression rates and play them either in the car, through your Etymotics - wherever you are going to use it and see if it makes a difference to you. Try and use the smallest file you can before the quality goes. The Etymotics have bass enhancement, so it is never going to be unadultarated hifi to start with.
Trial & error.
Posted on: 28 April 2005 by wal riley
I do have a full hi-fi at home but unfortunately, until my kids get a little older, this IS my system!!(two lads, aged 10 months and 2.5 years, so they're still very young.) That's why i'm trying to get a balance between file size and quality. Time is also at a premium, which is why I asked for any advice, otherwise i'd do the research myself, but thanks anyway.
Posted on: 28 April 2005 by Peter C
I would recommend WMA at 192KBs because it is close enough to the CD sound, that compression is not an issue.
My MP3 and WMA files are played through an MAudio 2496 soundcard into a 72 /hicap /140 /Intro 2's.
For use through quality hifi, I wouldn't recommend anything lower than 192 KBs for either MP3 or WMA.
For use in an environment where size and quality are a trade off, like a car or an Ipod; the minimum quality I would suggest is MP3 at 128KBs.
