between 128 KB/s AAC files (Itunes) and 192 KB/s MP3 files? I thought about switching my importing to 192, but I've heard that smaller AAC files sound just as good and save space.

yes. but theyre very close.

edit: no means yes.

why not rip an album you know really well both ways, and then compare them?

people have different thresholds of sensitivity.

There was just a good thread on this. Like a week ago, tops.

And yes, 128 has issues with the top and bottom end... listen to cymbal crashes.

This is the second time I've been on Obner in like a month and there's no way to search for this. AAC and MP3 are too short.

welcome back.

Synopsis: roughly 9/10 of us say 128 isn't good enough. It's ok, but put headphones on and compare a 128 track with a cd. That gap gets a looot smaller with 192. I import at 224 or whatever... next setting over 192.

i don't accept anything under 192. i rip at vbr with 320kps max.

I agree with the Cap'n, but I import at 192 and sounds damn fine to me with good headphones.

His question is relating to AAC 128, not MP3 128.

To be honest, I can't hear a distinguishable difference between the two. Which is good, since to me, freeing up a ton more space on my ipod. That's more important than hearing the highest high hat. That's just me... I know many others who don't compromise quality.

yeah, which brings us back to the central point with this kind of thing. theres lots of options out there, so go out and figure out what they are, test them out for yourself and come to your own conclusions about what is acceptable and what isnt.

same.

192 for listening, 320 for playing/dj'ing out.

I think OB settled it for you, but this was the earlier discussion...
OB echoes himself here-> http://obner.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=16043

128 AAC is equivalent in quality to 160 mp3, at the same file size as a 128 mp3. 160 AAC is equivalent in quality to 192 mp3 at the same file size as a 160 mp3.

I use 192 mp3 simply for compatibility's sake - if I ever buy a non-Apple player, I'm screwed and will have to rerip all those AAC files. And most people want 192 mp3s, and rightly so.

Edited to answer the question: in general, yes - the 128 mp3s do indeed sound pretty rough to most people. It'll depend on how good your hearing is and whether you abuse it with excess volume, but most likely in most situations (cars, crappy earphones, etc.) the quality loss won't be that extreme. If you listen in quiet environments with good headphones, especially the in-ear-canal ones like I have, you will definitely notice the quality issues.

VBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBRVBR

These are some of the best threads we have ever had on the subject (I love using the search function):

Which is best for playing and recoring(Answer: Foobar 2000 playing and EAC for ripping {is heaven, once you go there you will never ever go back).

http://www.obner.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=12311

What sounds best (Answer: VBR EAC ~standard but you can go extreme):

http://www.obner.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=13339

but I don't know what the hell i'm talking about so...