In trying to study up on audio compression, I have found some web pages claiming that WMA sound quality is equivalent to roughly twice the bitrate of an MP3. In other words a WMA encoded at 160 kbps is said to sound about as good as an MP3 of 320 kbps. Similar freedom from audible "artifacts" and such.

Is this anywhere nearly true? The internet houses a certain amount of horse manure. This could be more of it. At the least, would some knowledgeable person please recommend an authoritative source to read about such matters?


Edit: Some trials I've made since posting the question make me think a 128 WMA of a piano solo probably sounds about as good as an MP3 in the ~256 range (while staying half the size). An MP3 at ~128 (same file size as the WMA 128) sounds slightly pinched off and duller. But in fact all 3 seem to be acceptable for general purposes, so maybe it's illusion after all.

I'll be grateful for any thoughts on the matter.

Last edited by allis; 04/21/10 04:25 AM.
Larry
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