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Topic: Is xhe aac at 96kbs better than opus at 96kbs? (Read 4787 times) previous topic - next topic
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Is xhe aac at 96kbs better than opus at 96kbs?

I know xhe aac beats opus at super low bitrates, but what about 96-128?  i am trying to buy a new phone with no sd card slot, and would like to conserve as much space as possible when i am traveling, so should i use xhe aac to replace opus at 96-128kbs?

Re: Is xhe aac at 96kbs better than opus at 96kbs?

Reply #1
Some hints here:
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,121099.msg998706/topicseen.html#new

OPUS and USAC (xHE-AAC) are more or less at the same level at this bitrate. Depending on samples, subjective taste, you may prefer one or other. In summary both formats reach near transparency.
Be also careful about compatibility (good android audio players with USAC support are rare).
Wavpack Hybrid: one encoder for all scenarios
WavPack -c4.5hx6 (44100Hz & 48000Hz) ≈ 390 kbps + correction file
WavPack -c4hx6 (96000Hz) ≈ 768 kbps + correction file
WavPack -h (SACD & DSD) ≈ 2400 kbps at 2.8224 MHz

Re: Is xhe aac at 96kbs better than opus at 96kbs?

Reply #2
Some hints here:
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,121099.msg998706/topicseen.html#new

OPUS and USAC (xHE-AAC) are more or less at the same level at this bitrate. Depending on samples, subjective taste, you may prefer one or other. In summary both formats reach near transparency.
Be also careful about compatibility (good android audio players with USAC support are rare).
I am a noob in this field, but AIMP on my phone plays the audio (xhe aac)

Re: Is xhe aac at 96kbs better than opus at 96kbs?

Reply #3
its been almost two years since i wrote this message, are opus and xhe aac still the same?

Re: Is xhe aac at 96kbs better than opus at 96kbs?

Reply #4
Regarding audio quality, guruboolez's listening test is still valid, yes.

At the bit-rates you're asking about,

- Opus got a version update to 1.5.1, but the clean-channel (error-free transmission) quality hasn't changed, see also
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,125597.msg1040720.html#msg1040720
- exhale got a version update to 1.2.1, but only some rare corner cases improved in quality, and only very slightly, see
https://gitlab.com/ecodis/exhale/-/releases

Don't know about other xHE-AAC encoders, though.

Chris
If I don't reply to your reply, it means I agree with you.

 

Re: Is xhe aac at 96kbs better than opus at 96kbs?

Reply #5
Be also careful about compatibility (good android audio players with USAC support are rare).

Are you sure? Android itself has had USAC xHE-AAC decoding built-in via FDK-AAC v2 since Pie. I know Poweramp will use the system provided decoder as long as you're on Android 9 or newer. I've tested it on Android Automotive too, Audiowagon can play them. Tested exhale preset 5, 9, and G on both, so xHE-AAC with and without SBR.

I'm not sure what Wikipedia means when they say FDK-AAC can decode xHE-AAC but not USAC. I think that has something to do with whatever kind of files it is that exhale can't even encode yet anyways? Anything outside of the baseline USAC profile?