Audio Quality Help

[mathmeister]

I was wondering if there is any difference between the quality of mp3 and flac. I'm aware of all the obvious pros and cons but some things I've heard are that flac doesn't get as distorted at higher volumes. I have decent audio equipment so not sure if I should switch to flac; I have the space. I was also wondering about the differences in Kbps. Can you hear a difference between 256 and 320? Thanks in advance!

[spartaman64]

1 minute ago, mathmeister said:

I was wondering if there is any difference between the quality of mp3 and flac. I'm aware of all the obvious pros and cons but some things I've heard are that flac doesn't get as distorted at higher volumes. I have decent audio equipment so not sure if I should switch to flac; I have the space. I was also wondering about the differences in Kbps. Can you hear a difference between 256 and 320? Thanks in advance!

how big the difference between flac and mp3 is largely dependent on your audio equipment. for most people they dont have the equipment for it to really make a difference

[Guest]

20 minutes ago, spartaman64 said:

how big the difference between flac and mp3 is largely dependent on your audio equipment. for most people they dont have the equipment for it to really make a difference

 

Or not.

 

The most important factor is the recording quality and the ear training of the listener. The differences are small, true, but it has more to do with the fact that you have to know what to listen for.

 

I can't hear a difference between FLAC and mp3 above ~256kbps. I might be able to go higher if I practiced, but I listen to music for pleasure, not to become some goldenear audiophile.

[spartaman64]

2 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

Or not.

 

The most important factor is the recording quality and the ear training of the listener. The differences are small, true, but it has more to do with the fact that you have to know what to listen for.

 

I can't hear a difference between FLAC and mp3 above ~256kbps. I might be able to go higher if I practiced, but I listen to music for pleasure, not to become some goldenear audiophile.

its also true that better headphones amplifies the difference 

[Guest]

Just now, spartaman64 said:

its also true that better headphones amplifies the difference 

That kind of goes without saying. But, I've found that the differences that I can hear are there regardless of gear quality. Kind of like those illusion pictures, once you see it you always can tell it's there.

[mathmeister]

15 minutes ago, SSL said:

That kind of goes without saying. But, I've found that the differences that I can hear are there regardless of gear quality. Kind of like those illusion pictures, once you see it you always can tell it's there.

So I'm sticking to MP3 with 320 Kbps

[Guest]

Just now, mathmeister said:

So I'm sticking to MP3 with 320 Kbps

 

Well, it depends where you're getting your music. I'd say that if you can get FLAC without undue trouble, it's worth it on general principle. But yes, purley from a sound quality prespective I think there are better things to worry about.

[mathmeister]

Just now, SSL said:

 

Well, it depends where you're getting your music. I'd say that if you can get FLAC without undue trouble, it's worth it on general principle. But yes, purley from a sound quality prespective I think there are better things to worry about.

I um kinda just um coughtorrentcough cough it...