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Topic: whats the difference? Lossless & Lossy question (Read 4178 times) previous topic - next topic
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whats the difference? Lossless & Lossy question

Hi guys,

I need expert opinions on which song or what type of song to use to get noticeable hearing differences between lossy (AAC) and lossless encoding.

Other methods on how lossless can be proven to be better are greatly welcomed.

Many thanks in advance

whats the difference? Lossless & Lossy question

Reply #1
Other methods on how lossless can be proven to be better are greatly welcomed.

Lossless is lossless.  "Better" isn't a very good word.  But when done right, there is no difference between the lossless file and what is on the original CD.  The only technical way a lossy file can be "better" is in terms of size.  Using AAC in gernal doesn't say much.  What bitrate?  At a high enough bitrate the difference should be inaudible.  Other advantage of lossless is you don't have to wonder if your hearing compression artifacts.

EDIT:  Also, while I don't use AAC, in my experience it seems things like classical music and heavy metal can show the bad side of lossy compression the most.

whats the difference? Lossless & Lossy question

Reply #2
EDIT:  Also, while I don't use AAC, in my experience it seems things like classical music and heavy metal can show the bad side of lossy compression the most.


I'd agree with that. Metal really pumps the bit-rate up on lossy VBR. I'm next going to have to try higher VBR as some tracks still get splashy on the top end to me.

Lossless is lossless. If the input before compression is the same as the output after decompression then it's lossless otherwise it's lossy in some way or another. Then again you can also apply replaygain to lossless sources meaning you don't get out what you put in.....well you do but it's adjusted volume-wise....if that makes sense