Multiformat Listening Test @ 48 kbps - OPEN

[Sebastian Mares]

Hello!

I would like to announce the launch of my public, multiformat listening test @ 48 kbps.

The encoders featured are:
iTunes AAC 7.0.2.16 (96 kbps High Anchor)
Ogg Vorbis AoTuV 5 Beta
WMA Professional 10
Nero HE-AAC May 26 2006
WMA Standard 9.2
iTunes AAC 7.0.2.16 (48 kbps Low Anchor)
For further information on how to participate, please visit the test announcement page: http://www.maresweb.de/listening-tests/mf-48-1/

The test is scheduled to end on December 8th, 2006.

For those using BitTorrent, statistics are available here: http://www.rarewares.org/tracker/mystats.php
Please use BT whenever possible.

Thank you!

Regards,
Sebastian Mares

[mitsubishi]

Interesting, will play along.

Would have been easier if all the samples were in one torrent though, even if you kept the others there for those with lousy clients which can't choose files.

EDIT: In case anyone else has the same issue, I had to go to options to change my output device, for some reason it defaulted to use my TV capture card, which has audio in.....

[Sebastian Mares]

The much awaited results of the Public, Multiformat Listening Test @ 48 kbps are ready.

Here is the results page: http://www.maresweb.de/listening-tests/mf-48-1/results.htm

http://www.maresweb.de/listening-tests/mf-48-1/resultsz2.png

Nero is first, followed by Vorbis and WMA Pro. which are tied on second place, WMA Standard is third and loses.

I think this test shows that with modern encoders, the quality at 48 kbps is acceptable and should be good enough for Internet streaming or portable use with cell phones for example. It's also interesting to see that WMA Professional perfomed quite well although it was the only contender that used CBR.