RareWares has launched yet another public audio listening test. This time the test concentrates on low bitrate audio compression at 64kbps bit streams. One interesting feature of the test is that the 64kbps files are challenged by LAME MP3 at 128kbps. The reason for this are the marketing slogans (MP3Pro, WMA) that promise "MP3 quality at half the bitrate".
The encoders tested and parameters used:
Ahead/Nero 6.0.0.15 HE AAC VBR profile Streaming :: Medium, high qualityOgg Vorbis post-1.0 CVS -q 0MP3pro (from Adobe Audition 1.0) VBR quality 40, Current Codec, allow M/S and IS, allow narrowing, no CRCReal Audio Gecko (from Real Producer 9.0.1 64kbpsWindows Media Audio v9 VBR quality 50QuickTime 6.3 AAC LC 64kbps, Best QualityLame MP3 encoder 3.90.3 --alt-preset 128 --scale 1. high anchorFhG MP3 encoder (from Adobe Audition 1.0) 64kbps CBR, Current codec, allow M/S, no I/S, allow narrowing, no CRC. bottom anchor
Take the test!
Written by: Lasse Penttinen @ 11 Sep 2003 8:57
