Doc,Nov 29 2005, 12:46 PM Wrote:I can tell the difference between AAC and MP3.
AAC sounds flat.
To a degree I agree AAC sounds flat. This is due to the fact that AAC is encoded at a fixed bitrate of 128kbps. But a 128kbps mp3 vs. a 128kbps AAC is nearly impossible to distinguish. 128kbps is flat in general.
If you are interested in a fuller sound, and larger file size look into encoding to a higher quality mp3 using a different program, or go to OGG. The Shuffle can play higher bitrate mp3's as well as AAC's.
As I said earlier, OGG is superior. IIRC, OGG's encode with a varying bitrate preserving the highest highs and lowest lows while keeping the size down. But sadly, they aren't supported everywhere.
For casual listening, I still maintain 128kbps to be fair quality. Past 196 bitrate the quality becomes almost indistinguishable on regular quality speakers/headphones.
The long and the short of it DeeBye, is that if your music sounds "flatter" than it does on CD, try encoding at a higher MP3 bitrate.
Cheers,
Munk