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Topic: MP3 File Comparison Tool (Read 14390 times) previous topic - next topic
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MP3 File Comparison Tool

Hi folks,

I was wondering if any of you have used or know of a "Freeware" preferably that I can put two MP3 files, of course the same song, and see if there is much difference between the 256Kbps and the 320Kbps one ... Quality wise.

I mean a software that can take the Guessing game out of the equation, and do away with the fact that something might be more clear to me and not to you and so forth.

Thanks,

G! 

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #1 –
You just need to use an ABX comparator. There is a free one built into Foobar2000.

You do need to make sure you are comparing the files at the same loudness though, because we tend to perceive louder as better.

It is also best to compare between a lossy and the lossless source, rather than just between two different lossy encoded files.

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #2 –
Quote from: ShowsOn on
You just need to use an ABX comparator. There is a free one built into Foobar2000.


Hi ShowsOn,

Appreciate your reply.  I have heard of Foobar2000 ... but I never bothered to download it and use it ... I guess this is the time then.

BTW, my OS is Vista Home Prem., SP1, 64-bit.  I assume Foober2000 would work with VistaX64!!!

Q1: Will installing Foobar2000 conflict with my Windows Media Player?

I saw your recommendation to use ABX Comparator on a Lossy vs non-Lossy clip.

Q2: But would it still work on 2 MP3s ... which they are Lossy?

The reason I want to compare the 2 MP3s is becasue when I look at one of them ... right-click on the MP3 and view under Properties > Details Tab ... it says320Kbps ... BUT when I open it up under MP3Tag 2.43 program it shows it as only a 199Kbps ... which I trust MP3Tag to be correct since the file size seems awfully small for a 320Kbps of 4.5 minutes long ... sinc eI have the identical file with 256Kbps and it is larger in size and it does shows correct Kbps under MP3Tag.

Thanks,

G! 

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #3 –
I've never used Foobar on a 64 bit version of Windows, so I can't confirm or deny that it works.

I strongly doubt it will conflict with Windows Media Player, because Foobar uses its own decoders, whereas I believe WMP uses Windows DirectShow filters.

Windows explorer is hopeless at determining the correct bitrate of MP3 files, especially those encoded using Variable Bit Rate, so I'd suggest that MP3tag is right.

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #4 –
A good tool for comparing sound files is Audio Diffmaker at http://www.libinst.com/Audio%20DiffMaker.htm . I used this to compare various encoding strategies for compressed files, which speeded up the evaluation process considerably. This even showed up the weakness in 320kbs CBR MP3 files on complex pieces of music. You may have to do some transcoding though to get the files into a suitable format for input to the software.

There is some discussion on this software at http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/lofive...php/t53768.html

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #5 –
Quote from: GaryC on
A good tool for comparing sound files is Audio Diffmaker at http://www.libinst.com/Audio%20DiffMaker.htm . I used this to compare various encoding strategies for compressed files, which speeded up the evaluation process considerably. This even showed up the weakness in 320kbs CBR MP3 files on complex pieces of music. You may have to do some transcoding though to get the files into a suitable format for input to the software.

There is some discussion on this software at http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/lofive...php/t53768.html

You've still got to listen to the actual files. A difference file won't tell you much if it simply reveals sounds that will otherwise be masked during regular playback.

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #6 –
I definitely agree that listening tests need to be carried out. Using this type of software simply speeds up the process of evaluating the impact of changes to the encoding, letting you home in more quickly.

A big advantage is for the selection of the files which will be used for the evaluation, where those most susceptible to degradation due to encoding can be identified easily. This resulted in me dropping some of my favorite files from the evaluation list.

The difference file does not show up the sounds that would be masked during regular playback but rather the difference between the two files. This can sometimes be large and definitely audible.

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #8 –
Hi folks,

@ GaryC ... THANKS for that piece of Software ... I would have never been able to locate such a software thru googling.

@ greynol ... THANKS for your reply ... grey, I am a total "Newbie" in Audio stuff ... and your comment just went right over my head ... I have seen some of your posts and boy o boy they are for sure way, way over my head. 

Between ShowOn Foobar and GaryC proggy ... I might have what I was looking for ... unless someone else knows of another Freeware application for Audio Comparison.

Thank You all for your help.

G! 

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #9 –
For Information about lossy codecs used in the files you have, I recommend Mr QuestionMan

Of course, you could make Foobar2000 show most of the same info if you configure it right.

At last, what you probably have is a VBR mp3 file, versus a CBR file. The VBR file may be of higher quality, but a listening test is needed to know. The size doesn't tell a thing, especially since it's VBR vs CBR.

MP3 File Comparison Tool

Reply #10 –
Quote from: GaryC on
I definitely agree that listening tests need to be carried out. Using this type of software simply speeds up the process of evaluating the impact of changes to the encoding, letting you home in more quickly.


I can think of no way that software could possibly be used for this.  Its for testing the differences between analog equipment and is unsuitable for comparing lossy compressed files.