So I just discovered a new AAC setting that I didn�t know about. Apparently I can convert files to True AAC VBR 127, which seems to fall in-between MP3 V-0 & lossless.

I want the best sound quality possible, but I also need to conserve space. True VBR AAC files are a quarter larger than V-0, and I�m not sure if there is enough of a difference in quality to justify the extra space.

I listen to my music on a 128GB iPod touch, using the supplied earbuds, my Sennheiser headphones (which were around $150, so not strictly speaking audiophile-level) or my Sony stereo system (which is just a typical consumer set-up with two speakers and no subwoofer). I�m also one of those people that doesn�t notice much of a difference (if any at all) between lossless and V-0/320 lossy.

So basically, is the supposedly higher quality of True VBR AAC worth the tradeoff in file size, especially for someone that doesn�t typically use audiophile-level equipment?


Here are some examples...

True VBR AAC:


MP3 V-0:

If your specs dont look like this
you need better quality!

If your specs dont look like this
you need better quality!



Seems it's been proved that the 192k is not the true thing.

Seems it's been proved that the 192k is not the true thing.

Yes. I thought a number of people had declared it a fake.

Regarding the format... I dunno. I've chosen Nero AAC encoder over the regular MP3s I used to have. All the FLAC I get that I consider not candidate for ALAC, I turn it into VBR AAC. Is it truly better than MP3? Probably around the same, people says it's a better encoder, all I know is that it makes me feel I did something, lol.

In the end, all comes down to your tastes. I got a FiiO X3 with some good Sony headphones and to me they sound amazing, so there's that. I can throw all the formats I got there and it works.

Personally, I stick with MP3 because I find the difference in sound-quality to be negligible, most of the times. That being said, when I want to have the "best quality" I usually stay at home and take advantage of my sound system, when I'm out training/running a V0 MP3 in the portable player is more than enough.

EDIT:
In short - Not worth the trade-off for this guy.

Personally, I stick with MP3 because I find the difference in sound-quality to be negligible.
I am the same. Plus it is better, for me with size. I hear no diffirence at all in any format.

Personally, I stick with MP3 because I find the difference in sound-quality to be negligible, most of the times. That being said, when I want to have the "best quality" I usually stay at home and take advantage of my sound system, when I'm out training/running a V0 MP3 in the portable player is more than enough.

EDIT:
In short - Not worth the trade-off for this guy.


I am the same. Plus it is better, for me with size. I hear no diffirence at all in any format.

I think I've said this before, but I only start to really hear a difference when any file is below 160... Maybe a little higher.
I always usually prefer 256-320.