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bigaudiofanat · 06-27-2009, 11:53 PM

This thread was made to help new people understand what is being talked about in car audio. There are different subjects on different pages just look around and enjoy your reading!

Music Compression UPDATED 3/2012
So I want to shed some light on the different formats out today. When you download a mp3 or wma file from the internet, whether it be from LimeWire, itunes, amazon, or other site. The file is most likely compressed. The standard for itunes is becoming 256kbps, while amazon is still at 128kbps. Now for some people this is fine. These format mp3 and wma are compressed audio. Compression removes some of the quality in music, the lower the kbps the more quality is lost. These formats take the highs and the lows of them song and compress them to the bit rate that you have selected. The big debate with some is that at 320kbps you can’t hear the difference between a cd and that bit rate. As far as my personal opinion I disagree, but again this is my opinion.

The standard for most programs to rip any cd is 128kbps than it goes up from there as you can select in your ripping options menu. A normal FLAC or apple lossless song is around 800-1048kbps. This will allow you to get the best you can from a digital format. For itunes users it is pretty simple just go into your setting and go to the rip tab and select apple lossless. For windows media users go into setting and select Flac. For whatever you use for ripping cd's there should be a setting for the best quality you can get. Another disagreement upon people is that there is no need for full FLAC or lossless unless you have a serious sound system. Unless you are using a boom box and using a upgraded system you will hear a difference. Whether you’re listening to a good car sound system, quality headphones, or a system at home you should hear a difference.

All and all this may not be for everyone; some people do not mind compressed music. Also for people that are happy for their factory stereo they will still hear a slight difference just not as much as an aftermarket system. People that just use mp3's for their ipod threw ear buds might not notice the difference unless using a more expensive set of ear buds. All and all I hope this has opened your eyes to a new kind of music. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

For itunes users it is pretty simple just go into your setting and go to the rip tab and select apple lossless. For windows media users go into setting and select Flac or uncompressed. For whatever you use for ripping cd's there should be a setting for uncompressed.

All and all this may not be for everyone, some people do not mind compressed music. Also for people that are happy for thee factory stereo they will still hear a difference just not as much as a aftermarket system. People that just use mp3's for there ipod threw ear buds might not notice the difference unless using a more expensive set of ear buds. All and all I hope this has opened your eyes to a new kind of music. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

06-27-2009, 11:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	Car Audio 101 This thread was made to help new people understand what is being talked about in car audio. There are different subjects on different pages just look around and enjoy your reading! Music Compression UPDATED 3/2012 So I want to shed some light on the different formats out today. When you download a mp3 or wma file from the internet, whether it be from LimeWire, itunes, amazon, or other site. The file is most likely compressed. The standard for itunes is becoming 256kbps, while amazon is still at 128kbps. Now for some people this is fine. These format mp3 and wma are compressed audio. Compression removes some of the quality in music, the lower the kbps the more quality is lost. These formats take the highs and the lows of them song and compress them to the bit rate that you have selected. The big debate with some is that at 320kbps you can’t hear the difference between a cd and that bit rate. As far as my personal opinion I disagree, but again this is my opinion. The standard for most programs to rip any cd is 128kbps than it goes up from there as you can select in your ripping options menu. A normal FLAC or apple lossless song is around 800-1048kbps. This will allow you to get the best you can from a digital format. For itunes users it is pretty simple just go into your setting and go to the rip tab and select apple lossless. For windows media users go into setting and select Flac. For whatever you use for ripping cd's there should be a setting for the best quality you can get. Another disagreement upon people is that there is no need for full FLAC or lossless unless you have a serious sound system. Unless you are using a boom box and using a upgraded system you will hear a difference. Whether you’re listening to a good car sound system, quality headphones, or a system at home you should hear a difference. All and all this may not be for everyone; some people do not mind compressed music. Also for people that are happy for their factory stereo they will still hear a slight difference just not as much as an aftermarket system. People that just use mp3's for their ipod threw ear buds might not notice the difference unless using a more expensive set of ear buds. All and all I hope this has opened your eyes to a new kind of music. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. For itunes users it is pretty simple just go into your setting and go to the rip tab and select apple lossless. For windows media users go into setting and select Flac or uncompressed. For whatever you use for ripping cd's there should be a setting for uncompressed. All and all this may not be for everyone, some people do not mind compressed music. Also for people that are happy for thee factory stereo they will still hear a difference just not as much as a aftermarket system. People that just use mp3's for there ipod threw ear buds might not notice the difference unless using a more expensive set of ear buds. All and all I hope this has opened your eyes to a new kind of music. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/ Last edited by bigaudiofanat; 03-28-2012 at 07:55 AM.