What bit rate do you use?

[Waterfaller]

I just reformatted my computer, and decided to rip most of my CDs to my computer. I'm using the MP3 format, and since a lot of you seem to know what's best, here's my question:

I was thinking of using a 192kb bitrate. I COULD technically go for either 256 or 320kb. Am I really missing out on anything with a lower bitrate? How much of a sound degradation is there with 192kb, versus, say 256 or 320?

[Nunzio]

I always rip to 320kbps. If you have adequate headphones and soundsystem the difference is huge. On something like your PC speaker... not so much.

[pocketprobe]

Personally, I rip everything to a lossless codec like FLAC then transcode to a 320 vbr for portables.

[kokujin]

I just recently discovered FLAC, so I've been using that lately.

[evildragon]

ALAC here.

[indianknightrider]

I like to use 128kbps for mp3's on my cdrw discs, this is to fit 300 files on 700mb discs. I love my mp3 boombox and i have 128kbps as the minimum for good sound, if i go lower then the sound starts to echo, and sound like it's behind a curtain with muffled voice.

[Devil N]

Ogg Vorbis at roughly 128 kbit/sec (quality setting 4). Much superior to MP3 at the same kinds of bitrates.

[nissling]

Always Wav and FLAC, everything else is lossy compression. Especially Mp3 and M4a.

[Christuserloeser]

I usually rip lossless to PCM .wav / FLAC.

For MP3s I use 320kbs @ q=0.

[N.Saibot]

I've done a blind test with very good speakers and was BARELY able to distinguish .wav
from 128 bit/s .mp3. It all depends on your codecs though. A bad mp3 codec will ruin the
file, but you should be safe if you download a new version of lame. As far my preferences
go, 192 kbit/s is king size. One big step over the 128 kbit/s setting, means it is just too
good to hear any difference. I never need higher settings with lossy encodings.

Note: your experience might differ, if you use some equalizer settings, like turning high
frequencies louder than everything else. In this case you might want to use .ogg with
same bitrate, or do a 256 kbit/s .mp3.

[Christuserloeser]

I've done a blind test with very good speakers and was BARELY able to distinguish .wav from 128 bit/s .mp3.

I use headphones mostly and I can clearly hear a difference between 192kbps and 320kbps.



I think it depends a lot on the source material though. 128kbps at q=0 probably is a pretty decent setting for audio books, etc. But the more things are going on at the same time, the more you loose when encoding to lower bitrates (or perhaps more correctly: the more noticeable your loss becomes).

[GohanX]

I stick with MP3 formats, but I long for the day I can use lossless on the go. I rip with 320 kbps variable, it seems to be the best compromise of quality and filesize to me.

[Pulstar]

LOL @ FLAC elitists. Most people can't tell the difference until the bitrates are too low.

I'd recommend you go with AAC (M4A). Use Nero's AAC codec along with a GUI to get the best results. MP3 is a serious waste of space, and Ogg Vorbis isn't widely supported. As for the ideal bitrate? I'd say ~200kbps is the sweet spot for me, but don't take my word as gospel you can try experimenting before deciding on an optimal value. Oh and always use VBR, not CBR.

[ki_atsushi]

I either use FLAC, or VBR mp3's @ q=0 with a minimum bitrate of 224, maximum 320.

[NeoVamp]

16 bit!