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Topic: AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality (Read 7295 times) previous topic - next topic
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AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

I would like to create a music library for my Droid X.  Assuming both formats are optimized, which format, AAC or MP3 offers the best sound quality (I'm not archiving my music yet but will use FLAC if I do)?  There seems to be quite a debate if any of the comparisons mentioned was done with optimizing both formats.  Assuming they were, what is the answer.

If I plan on plugging my Droid X into my stereo at times, does it matter if I choose the insane 320 bit rate or not?  Thanks for the help.

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #1 –
Doesn't really matter.  I would use about 200kbps VBR for either format if you're concerned about audio quality.

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #2 –
As saratoga has said it doesn't really matter. MP3 is pretty much guaranteed to play anywhere these days, so you may as well go with that. Or, you could use Ogg Vorbis which is also natively supported by Android.

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #3 –
Quote from: SoundHound on
There seems to be quite a debate if any of the comparisons mentioned was done with optimizing both formats.  Assuming they were, what is the answer.

In a perfect world assuming both formats were optimized to the best of their potential then I think it's safe to say AAC would come out on top, but we don't live in a perfect world.  In the meantime, you should probably conduct your own personal ABX tests.

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #4 –
Quote from: simonh on
MP3 is pretty much guaranteed to play anywhere these days, so you may as well go with that. Or, you could use Ogg Vorbis which is also natively supported by Android.


FWIW, every time I install a new release of Linux on my PC, it will play Vorbis, but I have to go chasing around to find mp3 decoders.

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #5 –
You're right there DonP. I use Linux and luckily Foobar works well enough to be my default audio app. Haven't found anything yet that can replace it for me.

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #6 –
Since im not allowed to say what I think is higher quality  due to TOS # 8.  I will simply say that AAC has a newer algorithm than an mp3.

If you cant go lossless, I would go AAC rather than mp3.  Thats just me....

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #7 –
Quote from:  link=msg=735968 date=0
Since im not allowed to say what I think is higher quality  due to TOS # 8.  I will simply say that AAC has a newer algorithm than an mp3.

Since I'm not allowed to say who I think is a higher quality responder due to TOS # 2.  I will simply say that there are posts of value in this thread, and posts which offer one nothing but substanceless chatter.
Creature of habit.

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Peck1234 on
Since im not allowed to say what I think is higher quality  due to TOS # 8.  I will simply say that AAC has a newer algorithm than an mp3.

If you cant go lossless, I would go AAC rather than mp3.  Thats just me....


What's a newer algorithm got to do with anything?

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #9 –
Quote from: probedb on
What's a newer algorithm got to do with anything?

It implies a few more years of research into perceptual audio coding. AAC = Advanced Audio Coding, where "advanced" is to be understood relative to MPEG1-1 audio coding algorithms (which includes mp3). This of course doesn't guarantee that every AAC encoder exploits the AAC standard to its full potential, but the encoders discussed on this forum do quite well, I believe.

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

AAC vs. MP3 - Which offers the best sound quality

Reply #10 –
I'd have to agree with Chris (and greynol about the "perfect world" scenario:  )

The newer technologies are usually going to have the upper-hand because they can improve on the work that's been done in the past. But there's really nothing terribly wrong with MP3 either.

As greynol mentioned, it is best to do some listening tests and come to your own conclusions. Kudos for archiving as FLAC. If you ever change your mind about lossy codecs you'll have lossless to reencode from.
The Loudness War is over. Now it's a hopeless occupation.