I think I figured something out!

[drfsupercenter]

I think I know why "128kbps" MP3's sound so good to me - it's because MusicMatch doesn't really encode them at 128k! WMP SAYS it is but they are NOT. Look at this screenshot from WinLame: The 160k one was downloaded from File Sharing, and the other one I got from the CD, by ripping at "128k" with MusicMatch.


No idea why it says that the song is only 3 mins long, trust me, they are both within 2 seconds lentgh of each other.

Now, here is the other thing: the 160k file is SMALLER than the 128k file. See for yourself here:
http://drfsupercenter.3lo.net/Music/...I'm%20Gone.mp3 <-- this version is 160kbps, about 5.4 megabytes.
http://drfsupercenter.3lo.net/Music/...20Gone%202.mp3 <-- this version on the other hand, is "128kbps", and 6.4 megabytes. Hear/see a difference?

In conclusion, the reason why I thought 128k sounded good is because they weren't really 128k, more in the 200x kbps range, so I was being fooled this whole time

[Chewy]

variable bit rate returns spurious results

[drfsupercenter]

Both are CBR.

[drfsupercenter]

Yep, just tested in WinAmp, they are indeed both CBR. And, they are both 44.1KHz, dunno why WinLame got all screwed up there.

But the proof is there, I mean, a 1MB bigger file for a lesser bitrate? Yeah right!

6.4 MB for a 4 min song... no way is that really 128k.

[Chewy]

that's what it says, but something's wrong

[drfsupercenter]

If you download the files, you will see what I mean. The main proof is the file size. No way should a 128k CBR file be bigger than a 160k CBR. But it is. Which means it's NOT really 128k. AKA MusicMatch puts something in there that makes it better quality.

I know they are rap songs, I apologise. But just bear with me here. If you download and listen you will see what I mean - they are both 44 KHz, both the same length, but the 128k one (says 128k on all major players) is really more than 128k. And I swear they are CBR - try them yourself!

If anyone can solve this, I would appreciate it!

[Chewy]

solved, your application to the academy is on hold!
young jedi!
used music match to remove album art!
Duh!

[drfsupercenter]

LOL
So you are saying that the extra megbyte was caused by just album art? Wow, how can one picture take up a megabyte? It was less then that last time I checked.

But why would WinLame give the 288 kbps for the MP3?

[Chewy]

Winlame?

open the big file and remove album art, you lose points ever time you challenge me and are wrong!

that's the rules of the game!

[drfsupercenter]

It is just a LAME encoding program. Nero uses LAME too.

What does MM use? (codec that is?) Maybe that is why it sounds better than it should.

What size was the MP3 after you removed the album art?

[Chewy]

you are getting into the red here!
do it yourself and see!

[drfsupercenter]

Hmmm, OK.

[drfsupercenter]

Wait, how do you remove album art with MM?
I don't own the full version, I have a Dell version that came with my computer.

[Chewy]

lame!

using crippled software, go back 4 spaces

[drfsupercenter]

What do you mean? All this code is confusing me!