Can You Hear the Difference Between MP3 and WAV?

[Mitsurugi]

Like everyone else, I really need the space... Since my setup can't really show me the difference with the sound quality, mp3 is the way to go!

 

[maco]

I can only hear the difference between 192kbps and 320kbps mp3. Those two sound really different to me, haha
All things considered, I still prefer mp3 for how lightweight it is!

I can tell the difference between 192kbps and 320kbps, but only slightly. When it comes to 128kbps vs. 320kbps, I can definitely hear the difference! Haha

I've decided to convert all my larger files to 320kbps MP3 to keep things consistent. I'm always struggling with limited storage space because of large file sizes

 

[maco]

Like everyone else, I really need the space... Since my setup can't really show me the difference with the sound quality, mp3 is the way to go!

I know what you mean! I really need the storage space too. I even bought an external hard drive, but somehow it still fills up so quickly! Haha
Looks like I'll be sticking with MP3 for the foreseeable future!

 

[Mitsurugi]

I know what you mean! I really need the storage space too. I even bought an external hard drive, but somehow it still fills up so quickly! Haha
Looks like I'll be sticking with MP3 for the foreseeable future!

omg I totally understand, somehow even 1TB is filling up so quickly I don't know what to do...

 

[q1w3e5]

I like listening with the speakers on, so the difference isn't very noticeable.
But actually, if you listen with different headphones, there's a big difference—though that also depends on the headphones.

 

[Gin7376]

Not at all…Maybe my earphones are too cheap. But about headphone jack I think 3.5mm is butter than lightning.

 

[berriestown]

When listening to drama CDs, can you hear a difference in sound quality between different audio formats, such as MP3 and WAV?

If you can, what differences do you notice? Does one sound clearer, richer, or more detailed than the other?

Maybe it's because I don't use particularly high-quality earphones, but honestly, I can't really hear any difference between MP3 and WAV, even when I compare them.

How about you? Can you hear the difference? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

It feels like WAV sounds a bit sharper (?)

 

[Podm953]

Honestly, I can't hear a difference either. I've done A/B tests with decent headphones and still can't reliably tell them apart. For drama CDs, which are mostly dialogue, a good MP3 sounds basically identical to WAV — so you're not alone!

 

[yuriia]

Actually, I can't really tell the difference between the two. I lean more towards MP3 because it takes up less storage space. Although high-quality audio sounds a bit clearer, for someone like me who likes to collect things, it's still a bit impractical. Haha

 

[Litth]

I think they sound pretty much the same to me, especially when I using regular headphones =]]]]

 

[hashi]

I think it's hard to be confident in our own perception because we're not all listening under the same conditions. There are so many possible combinations of audio players and headphones, and even the headphones themselves can make a difference.
It would be great if there were an affordable, recommended setup that everyone could easily get. Then we could all use the same equipment and compare the sound for ourselves!

 

[noch]

I've never tried listening to the same audio track in mp3 and wav but I've always opted for wav when given the choice just bc it's supposedly better... I'm not too concerned with storage bc I usually delete after giving it a listen, so yeah, wav all the way, for me.

 

[Flowerr]

I have also heard that wav is better but I think my cheap earphones probably cant pick that up well lol, so would still prefer mp3

 

[maco]

omg I totally understand, somehow even 1TB is filling up so quickly I don't know what to do...

1TB fills up so quickly, doesn't it... I bought a 4TB HDD, but even that is already nowhere near enough!
I know I should probably delete things I don't need, but I have this bad habit of keeping everything because I might want to listen to it again someday. At this rate, no amount of storage will ever be enough! lol

 

[maco]

I like listening with the speakers on, so the difference isn't very noticeable.
But actually, if you listen with different headphones, there's a big difference—though that also depends on the headphones.

Oh, so you enjoy listening through speakers! I see what you mean about headphones making a difference depending on the type. I usually use earphones, so I've never really thought about it that way. Maybe the listening experience can be quite different depending on what you use!

 

[maco]

Not at all…Maybe my earphones are too cheap. But about headphone jack I think 3.5mm is butter than lightning.

Oh, I see! I actually use pretty cheap wired earphones too, haha. I've never really tried listening with expensive headphones, so I wonder how much of a difference I'd notice!
And I agree that 3.5mm jacks are more convenient. I prefer wired earphones too, so I hope they don't disappear completely!

 

[maco]

It feels like WAV sounds a bit sharper (?)

WAV seems to have a wider range of sound, so maybe that's why it sounds a bit sharper.

 

[maco]

Honestly, I can't hear a difference either. I've done A/B tests with decent headphones and still can't reliably tell them apart. For drama CDs, which are mostly dialogue, a good MP3 sounds basically identical to WAV — so you're not alone!

I've tried listening to some YouTube tests too, but I couldn't tell the difference (although I was using cheap earphones... haha).

With drama CDs, I wonder if the differences might be more noticeable in the sound effects rather than the dialogue. But I'm happy as long as I can enjoy them with MP3!

 

[maco]

Actually, I can't really tell the difference between the two. I lean more towards MP3 because it takes up less storage space. Although high-quality audio sounds a bit clearer, for someone like me who likes to collect things, it's still a bit impractical. Haha

I love collecting things too! The storage space problem is something that never seems to go away, no matter how much space I have. Haha. It's always a struggle when you want to keep collecting more!

At least it's a relief that I can still enjoy everything so much even in MP3 format!

 

[maco]

I think they sound pretty much the same to me, especially when I using regular headphones =]]]]

Yeah, I feel the same way! Since I use cheap earphones, I guess it would be pretty hard for me to tell the difference too.

 

[starlight7]

I also use cheap earphones so I can't really tell the difference, but I try to keep the WAV whenever possible. I'm quickly running out of space though so I will need to delete some things..

 

[maco]

I think it's hard to be confident in our own perception because we're not all listening under the same conditions. There are so many possible combinations of audio players and headphones, and even the headphones themselves can make a difference.
It would be great if there were an affordable, recommended setup that everyone could easily get. Then we could all use the same equipment and compare the sound for ourselves!

That's so true! It really is difficult to compare the sound when everyone has different equipment and listening environments.

I'm just happy that I can still enjoy my drama CDs with MP3s and my inexpensive earphones. Maybe I'm lucky that I don't need fancy equipment to enjoy them so much!

 

[maco]

I've never tried listening to the same audio track in mp3 and wav but I've always opted for wav when given the choice just bc it's supposedly better... I'm not too concerned with storage bc I usually delete after giving it a listen, so yeah, wav all the way, for me.

Oh, so you delete them after listening! I wish I could do that, haha. I always end up wanting to collect them and keep them just in case I feel like listening again someday. Before I know it, my storage is getting fuller and fuller!

I guess I just have a hard time letting go of the ones I love. It's nice to know everyone has their own way of enjoying their collections!

 

[maco]

I have also heard that wav is better but I think my cheap earphones probably cant pick that up well lol, so would still prefer mp3

I feel the same! MP3 is more than enough for me too, especially when I can enjoy it without worrying about file sizes!

 

[mimi333]

Honestly, I can't really tell the difference. MP3 files are smaller anyway, so I prefer MP3! ♡