Can You Hear the Difference Between MP3 and WAV?

[vivi:3]

I probably can't tell the difference just using my basic earphones (〃▽〃) Honestly, as long as the track is catchy and sounds good, I don't really care if it's MP3 or WAV (*^^*)

 

[jkimmers]

320Kbps MP3 is fine for general listening but I can clearly enjoy a better WAV or FLAC. 192K and lower on even a phone speaker is pretty rough though.

 

[maco]

I used to prefer MP3 files because I couldn't really tell the difference between MP3 and WAV, but I recently installed an advanced audio driver that allowed me to hear more detail such as the sound of breaths when listening to WAV files. So, unless audio equipment has been upgraded, I don't think there's any real need to insist on using the WAV format.

So the audio driver can make a difference too! I guess people who really care about sound quality pay attention to their listening setup as well... My PC is a fairly inexpensive one, so I'll probably stick with MP3 for now. This was really helpful and gave me a lot to think about. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

 

[maco]

To be honest, I can't tell the difference between audio formats—whether it's MP3, WAV, or even FLAC. A long time ago, I had an MP3 player and headphones that supported Hi-Fi, but I couldn't detect any difference in sound quality between the various audio formats. So, for me, I prefer MP3 because, when it comes to the balance between file size and sound quality, MP3 offers the best value for the price.

It really is difficult to hear the differences in sound quality between the different audio formats, isn't it?

From what everyone has been saying, MP3 seems to offer the best balance and be the most popular choice. I think I'll stick with MP3 for storing and listening to my audio files from now on, too.

 

[maco]

I've always wondered about this, too. Maybe it's because I don't use high-end earphones, but I honestly can't tell the difference at all
If a WAV version is available, I usually make a point of listening to that first. But the files are so large, so after I've finished listening, I convert them to MP3.

It's exactly the same for me toooo!
I usually give the WAV version a listen first, too, but the file sizes are just way too big for long-term storage...
Even with external HDDs and cloud storage, the files end up taking up so much space!

 

[Lutina]

I usually don't use earphones when listening to drama CD because I don't like things in my ears for a long time. So I really couldn't tell which audio format sounds better quality. I prefer MP3 as it's more convenient and compatible most of the time.

 

[maco]

I can for sure. Usually not on my phone using head phones or ear buds, but when the phone is hooked up to the car you can really tell a big difference. MP3 especially, no matter if they are 320kpbs, is so low I would have to turn up the volume. WAV I don't struggle with this. I especially like FLAC files.

I see! That's really interesting. I was thinking about keeping my files in FLAC for a while, too, but even FLAC takes up quite a lot of storage space, so I eventually settled on MP3 instead. It's a little sad to compromise on audio quality, but with so many CDs to keep, storage space is a big issue!

 

[maco]

Interesting find! I probably never would have tried listening to drama CDs in my car for fear that people outside would be able to hear them!

I totally understand! I think I'd get so nervous thinking someone outside might hear what I'm listening to! Now I'm curious about how much of a difference I'd notice if I tried listening in the car, though!

 

[haiane]

I usually can't tell the difference. I use cheap earphones nowadays, because I keep breaking cables faster than my New Year's resolutions.

Ages ago, when I had a nice set, I could occasionally tell a very slight difference, but only with few most favourite music tracks. It can be more noticeable with a soundsystem, but I don't like playing CDs aloud. If I download large lossless files I don't hesitate much and convert them to mp3 for convenience. The higher quality is not worth the extra space, especially when I can hardly discern it.

I can for sure. Usually not on my phone using head phones or ear buds, but when the phone is hooked up to the car you can really tell a big difference. MP3 especially, no matter if they are 320kpbs, is so low I would have to turn up the volume. WAV I don't struggle with this. I especially like FLAC files.

That's strange, quality has nothing to do with volume. It's probably a dB gain tag issue.

 

[miaumiaumiau]

I've always wondered the same thing too. To me, it seemed as if WAV offered a richer sound quality, which I don't doubt, but I don't have any high-end equipment to really experience it yet :0

 

[maco]

I can't really tell much of a difference. People say high-end speakers make the difference between MP3 and WAV obvious, but I don't know if it's because of my earphones or if I just don't have sensitive ears So, I actually prefer MP3s over high-capacity WAV files!

It really does seem to depend on the audio equipment you're using! I use inexpensive earphones and a regular PC, and even when I turn up the volume, I can't hear any difference at all... It's so hard to tell!

Considering the storage space issue, MP3 might really be the best option after all!

 

[maco]

I probably can't tell the difference just using my basic earphones (〃▽〃) Honestly, as long as the track is catchy and sounds good, I don't really care if it's MP3 or WAV (*^^*)

As long as there's no annoying background noise or anything like that, I can enjoy good music and the wonderful voices of voice actors without worrying too much about the audio format!

 

[maco]

320Kbps MP3 is fine for general listening but I can clearly enjoy a better WAV or FLAC. 192K and lower on even a phone speaker is pretty rough though.

Oh wow, you can really hear the difference! I guess it depends on the person and the audio equipment, too. Although, I feel like I don't come across MP3s at 192 kbps or lower very often these days... I'm still leaning toward MP3 because of the storage space, though!

 

[wwabc3]

I can't tell them well... So I prefer the smaller file size.

 

[maco]

I usually don't use earphones when listening to drama CD because I don't like things in my ears for a long time. So I really couldn't tell which audio format sounds better quality. I prefer MP3 as it's more convenient and compatible most of the time.

Wow, you listen without earphones! That makes sense, it might be difficult to compare the sound quality that way. I usually live with my family, so listening without earphones never really occurred to me as an option. It's really interesting how everyone has different ways of enjoying drama CDs!

And you're right, it's hard to find a device that can't play MP3 files these days. I totally get what you mean~~

 

[maco]

I usually can't tell the difference. I use cheap earphones nowadays, because I keep breaking cables faster than my New Year's resolutions.

Ages ago, when I had a nice set, I could occasionally tell a very slight difference, but only with few most favourite music tracks. It can be more noticeable with a soundsystem, but I don't like playing CDs aloud. If I download large lossless files I don't hesitate much and convert them to mp3 for convenience. The higher quality is not worth the extra space, especially when I can hardly discern it.


That's strange, quality has nothing to do with volume. It's probably a dB gain tag issue.

I can totally relate to the earphone cable issue!!! The wires always seem to break internally, and suddenly only one side stops working... Since I'm not a fan of wireless earphones and prefer wired ones, I end up buying a pair for around 1,500 yen every year or so, haha.

I really liked what you said about "the higher quality not being worth the extra space." That makes so much sense! Even if you can hear a difference, it's usually only a slight one, while the file size can end up being more than twice as large.

I didn't even know there was something called gain adjustment for volume! I'll have to look into that.

Thank you so much for sharing such useful information!

 

[crisalt]

no and I never really cared about it.. that's why I usually go for mp3 as the most popular and supported format

 

[star light]

I'm listening with cheap earphones, so I can't tell the difference at all.
Then again, maybe it's just that my hearing isn't very good.

 

[Shion-]

I can't tell the difference between MP3 and WAV even when I compare them side by side.
I prefer MP3 because the file size is smaller.

 

[maco]

I've always wondered the same thing too. To me, it seemed as if WAV offered a richer sound quality, which I don't doubt, but I don't have any high-end equipment to really experience it yet :0

Exactly! My computer and earphones are pretty inexpensive too, so I can't really tell the difference either.
After hearing everyone's thoughts, I'm starting to think that MP3 really is the most popular choice in terms of overall performance!

 

[maco]

I can't tell them well... So I prefer the smaller file size.

Exactly! We can still enjoy listening to MP3s just fine, can't we?
Storage space is always an issue, whether it's on a PC or a smartphone. It's something we constantly have to worry about!