MP3 players - what bitrate do you use?

[DCrom]

For the last few years, I've ripped most of my favorite CDs to MP3 format, but only played them on my computers. Since space wasn't much of an issue and I have good speakers, I ripped them all at 384K bits/sec - it works out to 160-180 Mbytes for a typical CD.

But my wife surprised me with an MP3 player as a going away gift before a business trip (am I lucky, or what?). And I find that I've got a LOT more music than I can fit into a 2 GB player.

So - what bit rate do you recommend? 192 K bit/sec? 128 K bit/sec? Stay with 384 K bit/sec and just weed out less favored pieces?

I suppose what I'm really asking is: What is the lowest MP3 bitrate that still sounds good when played with standard earbuds?

[Congratulations]

Well, I use mostly 192, but that's a little higher than most people do. I'd stick with 128. If you want, you could try a few, and see if you can even tell the difference. On earbuds, I doubt it'll matter.

[DCrom]

How does 192K sound on decent speakers (for that matter, how does 128K sound?).

Trying to wiggle out of having two copies of everything

[BoneQuint]

Well, I use mostly 192, but that's a little higher than most people do. I'd stick with 128. If you want, you could try a few, and see if you can even tell the difference. On earbuds, I doubt it'll matter.

I'd go a step above where you don't "notice" a difference. 160 should do it, usually, or 192 to be extra-safe. Especially if it's tricky material -- lots of high frequencies and quick attacks give MP3 the most trouble.

[fearfaoin]

I consider 128 an absolute minimum. The difference between 128
and 160 is pretty noticeable. You need decent speakers to tell the
difference between 160 and 192. Most people who aren't hardcore
HiFites can't tell the difference above 192. (Your mileage my vary
depending on your hearing/taste. Void in Luxembourg.)

If your MP3 player supports it (mine doesn't), you could encode
using a Variable Bit Rate (VBR). If your encoding software is
good, it will decide what bitrate is best for each frame in the file.
This can get you a good size with good quality.

[DCrom]

I spent several hours last night ripping CDs at 192K - even with good speakers on my PC, I can't tell the difference compared to the higher rate. Another session tonight and I should have most of my favorites ready to go.