Can You Hear the Difference Between MP3 and WAV?

[lilian_lalali]

I don't think there's much difference, but in some players, you can drag the progress bar directly with MP3, while you can't with WAV. It's pretty strange.

 

[hydre]

At first, I didn't know the difference and just thought it was a bigger model, but after changing the headset, I realized the difference!!
For example, before the change, it felt like I was just hearing them lick, but after the change, they're licking my ears! This is what it felt like!! But the file size is too large...

 

[cherrymuffin🍒]

Waitt.. now that you mention it i dont think i hear any difference. but maybe i need an even more expensive earphones to be able to hear the difference

 

[maco]

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..

You keep them in WAV format... That must take up so much storage space!

For a while, I used to convert WAV files to FLAC and keep those instead. I read online that FLAC compresses files without any loss of sound quality compared to WAV, so I thought it might be a better option than MP3.

But lately, even FLAC files have been taking up too much space, so I've had to compromise and switch to MP3, haha.

 

[maco]

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

I feel the same way! I'm perfectly happy enjoying my drama CDs in MP3 format.

 

[ayak4]

i really can't tell. i just download mp3! i think if you're using earbuds you won't hear the difference?

 

[maco]

I don't think there's much difference, but in some players, you can drag the progress bar directly with MP3, while you can't with WAV. It's pretty strange.

I didn't know that could happen! I wonder if it's because WAV files are larger and take longer to load, making it difficult to skip to different parts...? It's interesting how there can be various differences in usability depending on the file format.

 

[maco]

At first, I didn't know the difference and just thought it was a bigger model, but after changing the headset, I realized the difference!!
For example, before the change, it felt like I was just hearing them lick, but after the change, they're licking my ears! This is what it felt like!! But the file size is too large...

It's amazing that you could notice such a big difference! I'm so jealous!!

There are quite a lot of ear-licking audio series out there, so maybe WAV really is better for listening with good headphones. I tried comparing them too, but I honestly couldn't hear much of a difference... Maybe it's because I use cheap earphones.

The file sizes really are way too big, aren't they?! Even after compressing them, they still take up so much space.

 

[maco]

Waitt.. now that you mention it i dont think i hear any difference. but maybe i need an even more expensive earphones to be able to hear the difference

Listening to everyone's experiences makes me think that maybe expensive headphones really are worth it...
I'd love to try them too, but I'm already enjoying everything with my cheap earphones, so I'm a little torn! haha ♡

 

[maco]

i really can't tell. i just download mp3! i think if you're using earbuds you won't hear the difference?

That might be true! Larger files can take longer to download, too. I'd love to hear the difference, but I guess it'll be difficult with my current earphones

 

[hogaylo]

I honestly can't tell the difference either. Though where everyone is using mp3 for convenience, I actually am the opposite default for wav for some reason. Maybe I am just coping because of the file size in hopes is better quality. Perhaps in the past wav was better than mp3 at some point using cheap audio equipment/recordings but now I feel like mp3 is just decent enough to hold on its own. I would love to upgrade my headphones, I believe that's a general consensus that it'll be a bigger difference than the file format.