AAC or MP3 - which is better quality?

[ArcticStones]

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Which yields better audio quality, importing in Apple’s AAC format or MP3?
In both cases, I would use 320 kbps. Any slight space difference is not a consideration - I’m only concerned with the audio quality.

Any expert with a great ear who can advice me?

Best regards,
ArcticStones

PS. My apologies if this issue has been addressed before, but I did not find a thread on this subject.

[bedouin]

Why not try both and see which you prefer? That will pretty much end the debate right there.

It's sort of like the analog vs. digital debate. Some people's ears will swear a CD sounds better, and others will want the 'warmth' of vinyl. You can debate the technical merits of each format, but in the end your ears are the only real judge.

[ArcticStones]

Why not try both and see which you prefer? That will pretty much end the debate right there.

Bedouin, that would be the logical thing to do, but it wouldn’t work for me right now. My present speakers, although good, are not the best - so I don’t think that I could hear the difference, certainly not at 320 kbps.

Sometime this year, however, I want to purchase a pair of really good hifi speakers (open for recommendations). In the meantime I want to make sure that the music files I’m importing have really great audio quality.

And hence I’m asking for expert advice...

:)

[MBHockey]

I personally like AAC over mp3 at the same bit rate. It's very noticeable in my car when i hook up my iPod has an auxiliary input to my head unit. AAC just sounds cleaner, crisper, with more highs and lows. 320 MP3 doesn't sound bad, by any means, it's just when played back to back, aac sounds fuller.

[ArcticStones]

I personally like AAC over mp3 at the same bit rate.

Thanks, then I’ll continue importing in AAC.

:)

[bedouin]

Though I don't use it since my iPod can't play it, I've always thought Ogg Vorbis sounded nice, especially at higher rates. You can check it out here (http://www.vorbis.com/setup_osx/).

[ArcticStones]

I have some OGG files on my old computer.

[frankko]

I prefer variable bitrate MP3s encoded by LAME using the --alt-preset extreme setting (previously LAME version 3.90.3, now 3.7b2). Constant bitrate files (MP3 or otherwise), in my opinion, are a bit inefficient.

[ArcticStones]

I prefer variable bitrate MP3s encoded by LAME using the --alt-preset extreme setting (previously LAME version 3.90.3, now 3.7b2). Constant bitrate files (MP3 or otherwise), in my opinion, are a bit inefficient.

Does iTunes encode mp3 / AAC at variable or constant bitrates? And are there any options in regard to settings? I haven’t seen variable/constant mentioned in any of my iTunes menus.

Best regards,
ArcticStones

[bedouin]

Preferences > Advanced > Importing > Import Using MP3 Encoder > Settings > Custom. Then set your kbps and check "variable bit rate encoding." There's also a way to have iTunes use LAME as its encoder; people debate which encoder is best or more efficient.

[ArcticStones]

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Bedouin, thanks for enlightening me!

- ArcticStones

[frankko]

I don't know about VBR AAC, but iTunes' VBR MP3 implementation isn't that great (also, if I'm not mistaken, iTunes uses the Fraunhofer MP3 encoder, not LAME).

The iTunes VBR method (and it's not limited to iTunes; I don't want to sound like I'm picking on Apple) is you specify a "minimum" bitrate and the encoder encodes each frame at around that bitrate. On average, it's going to hover around the "minimum" you specify. ("Minimum" in quotes because it isn't actually a minimum; it can drop below, just not by much.) The better way-- the way LAME's alt-presets do it-- is each frame of audio can be anywhere from 32kbs to 320kbps, depending on what the frame of audio contains. Stuff like punk, for example, with lots of highs and crisp sounds, will require closer to the high range of bits per frame. Stuff like hip-hop won't need as much. And silence-- for those tracks that have "hidden" songs after several minutes of nothing-- goes all the way down to 32kpbs (since there's nothing to hear, you don't need to waste the space that you would if you encode the same track at a constant bitrate). In short, only using what's needed.

iTunes can't use LAME by default, but Blacktree (before they made Quicksilver) came up with a solution: iTunes-LAME Encoder (http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/8837). You select tracks in iTunes (it can be off a CD) and launch the app, and it'll do the rest, including adding tags and putting the song back into your Library for you (thought it can't replace songs in your Library, keeping playcounts). And if you have dual processors, it'll encode a song on each processor, which is nice. It is significantly slower than using iTunes' default method, but, to me, it's worth the trouble.

But that leads me to my next point. Just because I say I like this method, or someone else says AAC is better, the only opinion is matters is yours. Take the time to do your own tests. I'd suggest not testing on, say standard iPod earbuds, but rather waiting until after you purchase your fancy audio gear.

[kybrown17]

Well, I really like AAC. It does, however have its drawbacks.
If you burn AAC onto a CD, they sound amazing and absolutely blow mp3s out of the water. However, if you have a car stereo headunit that is mp3 compatable, this does you no good. Id have to say its worth importing mp3 just so you can still make hundred song mixes to listen to.

Also, if you have a portable media player that isn't an ipod, Im not sure if AAC files play nicely or not

[ArcticStones]

Well, I really like AAC. It does, however have its drawbacks.
If you burn AAC onto a CD, they sound amazing and absolutely blow mp3s out of the water. However, if you have a car stereo headunit that is mp3 compatable, this does you no good. Id have to say its worth importing mp3 just so you can still make hundred song mixes to listen to.

Also, if you have a portable media player that isn't an ipod, Im not sure if AAC files play nicely or not

Interesting points! I’ve been sticking with the iPod. Don’t have a car, as the bus service here in Bergen is pretty good. But if and when I do get one, I would dream of something that is seamlessly iPods compatible. I may, however, have to upgrade from my 1st generation iPod...

Best regards,
ArcticStones