What quality should I be downloading at?

Chrysalis · 02-25-2011, 06:22 PM

I've been on a downloading spree recently and got 20+ albums.

But I've recently been wondering about what would be a good quality for be to be downloading these albums at? I've been trying to keep a steady rate of 192kbps (I downloaded 21 albums in this quality, so it wouldn't be too much work to re-download it), although I've also downloaded at 256 and even some at 320.

s_k · 02-25-2011, 06:28 PM

Depends on what quality your ears are.
Really, if it's okay for you, who cares.
I wouldn't want anything below 192kbps though.
What equipment do you use to play back your music?

Chrysalis · 02-25-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_k

Depends on what quality your ears are.
Really, if it's okay for you, who cares.
I wouldn't want anything below 192kbps though.

Thanks. I'm not exactly an audiophile like some, but I just don't want to be complaining about my collection if I ever become one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_k

What equipment do you use to play back your music?

I just listen to music on my iPod. I don't really have any speakers (except for one, but those go through my entire house, and I don't want my mom to complain about my "weird" music).

s_k · 02-25-2011, 06:41 PM

Well as much as people are going to hate me for this: If you can live with an iPod, don't worry as long as you're using Mp3's of 192kbps and up.
Below that you might start hear the compression.
Why not try it out? Just see how low you can go before you get bothered by it and don't go any lower. I don't mind making a sample for you of the same song in some different bitrates.
I know most people can live with 128kbps and up.
It does depend on the encoder and on the music a bit.

sidewinder · 02-25-2011, 06:43 PM

I can't live with anything below 192kbps. That said, I still try to get everything at 256 VBR (what I rip my CDs at) or 320kbps.

s_k · 02-25-2011, 06:46 PM

To be completly honest, I'm fine with 192kbps and up. It's not that important to me.
When I really want to enjoy music I put on a record.
And to reproduce the sound of a record, an uncompressed 16 bit WAV won't even do.
So Mp3 is always a last resort for me or just because it's convenient for in my car or on my phone.

Chrysalis · 02-25-2011, 07:14 PM

Thanks. I just wanted to save space on my hard drive, and for the files to be at least listenable. I can always buy an extra hard drive anyway.

jackhammer · 02-25-2011, 08:23 PM

If you are downloading for free then you shouldn't even ask this question and if you are paying then you should search the net for the original IMO and pay accordingly.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 02-25-2011, 08:52 PM

Care less... that's what I do.

Paedantic Basterd · 02-25-2011, 08:53 PM

I get whatever I can find, and that works for me because it's only to hear it once and decide if I want to purchase it and hear it again.

02-25-2011, 06:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chrysalis ~de geso Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 495	What quality should I be downloading at? I've been on a downloading spree recently and got 20+ albums. But I've recently been wondering about what would be a good quality for be to be downloading these albums at? I've been trying to keep a steady rate of 192kbps (I downloaded 21 albums in this quality, so it wouldn't be too much work to re-download it), although I've also downloaded at 256 and even some at 320. __________________ RateYourMusic A dead Last.fm account

02-25-2011, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	Depends on what quality your ears are. Really, if it's okay for you, who cares. I wouldn't want anything below 192kbps though. What equipment do you use to play back your music? __________________ Click here to see my collection

02-25-2011, 06:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	Well as much as people are going to hate me for this: If you can live with an iPod, don't worry as long as you're using Mp3's of 192kbps and up. Below that you might start hear the compression. Why not try it out? Just see how low you can go before you get bothered by it and don't go any lower. I don't mind making a sample for you of the same song in some different bitrates. I know most people can live with 128kbps and up. It does depend on the encoder and on the music a bit. __________________ Click here to see my collection

02-25-2011, 06:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
sidewinder Engorged Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,536	I can't live with anything below 192kbps. That said, I still try to get everything at 256 VBR (what I rip my CDs at) or 320kbps. __________________ last.fm \| my collection on RYM \| vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

02-25-2011, 06:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	To be completly honest, I'm fine with 192kbps and up. It's not that important to me. When I really want to enjoy music I put on a record. And to reproduce the sound of a record, an uncompressed 16 bit WAV won't even do. So Mp3 is always a last resort for me or just because it's convenient for in my car or on my phone. __________________ Click here to see my collection

02-25-2011, 07:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chrysalis ~de geso Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 495	Thanks. I just wanted to save space on my hard drive, and for the files to be at least listenable. I can always buy an extra hard drive anyway. __________________ RateYourMusic A dead Last.fm account Last edited by Chrysalis; 02-25-2011 at 07:24 PM.

02-25-2011, 08:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	If you are downloading for free then you shouldn't even ask this question and if you are paying then you should search the net for the original IMO and pay accordingly. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

02-25-2011, 08:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	I get whatever I can find, and that works for me because it's only to hear it once and decide if I want to purchase it and hear it again.