Lossy vs Lossless
Lossy (MP3, AAC, OGG): Permanently removes inaudible frequencies. Smaller files. Good for listening.
Lossless (WAV, FLAC, ALAC): Preserves all audio data. Larger files. Good for editing and archiving.
Format Comparison
- MP3: Universal compatibility. 320kbps is CD-quality for most listeners. Use for sharing and streaming.
- AAC: Apple's standard. Better quality than MP3 at same bitrate. Used by iTunes, YouTube, and iOS.
- WAV: Uncompressed, massive files. Use for audio editing and production.
- FLAC: Lossless compression (50% smaller than WAV). Perfect for archiving.
- OGG Vorbis: Open-source, good quality. Used in games and web audio.
When to Convert
Converting lossy→lossy degrades quality each time (generational loss). Always keep the original. Our Audio Converter handles all format combinations with optimal settings.