http://www.mp3-box.org/mp3-vbr-v0/
MP3 Variable Bit Rates?
I’ve been doing a lot of ABX tests recently with MP3s. In my first few tests, I was trying to see if I could hear a difference between WAV (lossless) and MP3 (lossy). The WAV file had a bit rate of 1411 kbps whereas the MP3 had a bit rate of about 199kbps (encoded in V2 VBR).
I could not hear any difference at all between the two. I then went and did some tests between different MP3 bit rates. I found no difference between v0, v1, v2 or v3 and 320kbps. After that there were slight differences but the MP3s were pretty transparent.
Is this normal? Should I be able to hear a difference between MP3 and lossless formats?
Most people cannot tell the difference. Especially the average user.
However, people known as “Audiophiles” can tell the difference through their really expensive speakers and headphones if they want to. These kinds of people either listen to Lossless music on their DAPs, or Ogg Vorbis 9 for highest quality lossy.
For the average user however (and on most DAPs with “Flat” EQ settings), lossless and high quality lossy (Ogg Vorbis 9, 320kbps MP3) are indistinguishable from eachother.
Amuri in Star Ocean (星の海のアムリ) Ending (Ep2)