Best Format??

Ma Junior · Ma Junior #1 (**permalink**)

12-25-2006, 01:47 AM

I just got a Ipod Shuffle 1gb. I was wondering, with regards to sound quality, what is the best music format to have your music in(mpeg, mp3, aac,...)? I plan on getting some new Shure E3C earbuds, so I want to make sure I have the best format to enjoy my music.

And before I get flamed. I did search. Thats how I came across the Shure earbuds.

ste6168 · ste6168 #2 (**permalink**)

12-25-2006, 01:49 AM

The stuff that I rip onto my computer from a CD i usually rip as mp3 at 256 and it sounds really good. I dont know what the "best" is though...

baggss · baggss #3 (**permalink**)

12-25-2006, 02:02 AM

Your best bet for the shuffle is to let iTunes convert it (on the fly) to 128K AAC. 1Gb is not a lot of space, but 128K AAC, while not a bad format, will give you the most songs/Mb on the shuffle. You can get about 220 or so on there at that rate.

caribiner23 · caribiner23 #4 (**permalink**)

12-25-2006, 11:54 PM

First off, it needs to be said that you shouldn't expect "studio" or even "home stereo" sound quality on your Shuffle-- that's not what it's designed for. It's designed to allow you to take your music with you, and as a result all the formats are a bit lossy. When I want quality, I play the original CDs through my home system (I rarely buy tracks from the iTMS).

That said, I encode everything in MP3/192 kbps in my iTunes library. This gives an acceptable sound quality (I have the Shure E2Cs) and I can play the songs on any other device including my PC.

Good luck!

Ma Junior · Ma Junior #5 (**permalink**)

12-27-2006, 10:34 PM

thanks guys

eric · eric #6 (**permalink**)

12-27-2006, 10:38 PM

i agree with 192 kbps, that seems to be the best trade off between size and quality. though if you have something you really like or may really benefit from extra detail, bumping the sample rate to 256 won't hurt.

nukemm · nukemm #7 (**permalink**)

12-27-2006, 11:20 PM

Yeah, another fan of 192Kbps mp3, here, and another E3C user. I got them in Singapore... at the Apple store, of all places. Got them for a steal... let's just say I was a big fan of the exchange rate that day...

mraya · mraya #8 (**permalink**)

12-27-2006, 11:28 PM

I also have my library in 192Kbps, but i use MP3. I have read some articles that claim AAC is a little better and a little smaler than MP3. I would use AAC but i'm still deciding between a Palm/Pocket PC or an iPod, 256kbps if i had a bigger HD.

Ma Junior #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 31, 2006 Posts: 47	12-25-2006, 01:47 AM I just got a Ipod Shuffle 1gb. I was wondering, with regards to sound quality, what is the best music format to have your music in(mpeg, mp3, aac,...)? I plan on getting some new Shure E3C earbuds, so I want to make sure I have the best format to enjoy my music. And before I get flamed. I did search. Thats how I came across the Shure earbuds. Last edited by Ma Junior; 12-25-2006 at 01:49 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

caribiner23 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 06, 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,404 Mac Specs: Macbook; iBook G4 12"; iPod 5G 30GB; iPod Shuffle 1GB	12-25-2006, 11:54 PM First off, it needs to be said that you shouldn't expect "studio" or even "home stereo" sound quality on your Shuffle-- that's not what it's designed for. It's designed to allow you to take your music with you, and as a result all the formats are a bit lossy. When I want quality, I play the original CDs through my home system (I rarely buy tracks from the iTMS). That said, I encode everything in MP3/192 kbps in my iTunes library. This gives an acceptable sound quality (I have the Shure E2Cs) and I can play the songs on any other device including my PC. Good luck! Cheap Date Show: Real people. Real food. Real date.
	QUOTE Thanks

nukemm #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 15, 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 925 Mac Specs: 2.33Ghz Core2Duo MacBook Pro /// 2.2Ghz Core2Duo MacBook	12-27-2006, 11:20 PM Yeah, another fan of 192Kbps mp3, here, and another E3C user. I got them in Singapore... at the Apple store, of all places. Got them for a steal... let's just say I was a big fan of the exchange rate that day... Don't forget to use the reputation system! My Setup
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mraya #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 27, 2005 Location: Framingham, MA Posts: 942 Mac Specs: MacBook C2D 2.4 2GB	12-27-2006, 11:28 PM I also have my library in 192Kbps, but i use MP3. I have read some articles that claim AAC is a little better and a little smaler than MP3. I would use AAC but i'm still deciding between a Palm/Pocket PC or an iPod, 256kbps if i had a bigger HD. [is pointless to click here]
	QUOTE Thanks

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ste6168 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 24, 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 514 Mac Specs: 1.5ghz Powerbook G4 17" 2gb RAM	12-25-2006, 01:49 AM The stuff that I rip onto my computer from a CD i usually rip as mp3 at 256 and it sounds really good. I dont know what the "best" is though...
	QUOTE Thanks

Ma Junior #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 31, 2006 Posts: 47	12-27-2006, 10:34 PM thanks guys
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eric #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 04, 2006 Location: twin cities, mn, usa Posts: 8,800	12-27-2006, 10:38 PM i agree with 192 kbps, that seems to be the best trade off between size and quality. though if you have something you really like or may really benefit from extra detail, bumping the sample rate to 256 won't hurt.
	QUOTE Thanks

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