What is the difference between FLAC and 320 kbps mp3?

Answer 1

The difference between 128 kbps and 320 kbps MP3 Song Files

Brief about the MP3 file structure and bit rate:

MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression. It is a common audio format for consumer audio storage, as well as a de facto standard of digital audio compression for the transfer and playback of music on digital audio players.

The use in MP3 of a lossy compression algorithm is designed to greatly reduce the amount of data required to represent the audio recording and still sound like a faithful reproduction of the original uncompressed audio for most listeners. An MP3 file that is created using the setting of 128 kbit/s will result in a file that is about 11 times smaller than the CD file created from the original audio source. An MP3 file can also be constructed at higher or lower bit rates, with higher or lower resulting quality.

The compression works by reducing accuracy of certain parts of sound that are deemed beyond the auditory resolution ability of most people. This method is commonly referred to as perceptual coding. It uses psycho-acoustic models to discard or reduce precision of components less audible to human hearing, and then records the remaining information in an efficient manner.

Bit Rate and Audio Quality

In telecommunications and computing, bitrate (sometimes written bit rate, data rate or as a variable Ror fb) is the number of bits that are conveyed or processed per unit of time. The bit rate is quantified using the bits per second (bit/s or bps) unit, often in conjunction with an SI prefix such as kilo- (kbit/s or kbps), mega- (Mbit/s or Mbps), giga- (Gbit/s or Gbps) or tera- (Tbit/s or Tbps).

Effects of bit rate on space and audio quality

When performing lossy audio encoding (compression process), such as creating an MP3 file, there is a trade-off between the amount of space used and the sound quality of the result. Typically, the creator is allowed to set a bit rate, which specifies how many kilobits the file may use per second of audio. Using a lower bit rate provides a relatively lower audio quality and produces a smaller file size. Likewise, using a higher bit rate outputs a higher quality audio, but also results in a larger file.

Files encoded with a lower bit rate will generally play back at a lower quality.

A few recommendations

If you have larger storage device like hard disk drives, then I would recommend to enjoy the sound quality with 320 kbps MP3 files, however for limited storage device like MP3 compatible mobile phones, I would recommend to go for lower bit rate MP3 files. If you have mobile device with greater storage or expandable memory, so nothing to worry to use MP3 files with higher bit rate.

Simple Equations

Higher Bit Rate >> More Bits/Seconds >> More Sound Information >> Higher Sound Quality >> Greater Storage Space

Lower Bit Rate >> Less Bits/Seconds >> Less Sound Information >> Lower Sound Quality >> Lesser Storage Space

Another Answer:

This is actually very debatable. I can say with confidence that i have a very good ear, and i honestly dont hear the difference between both.

To be more precise, if you have an iPod or any mp3 player, and that you have normal average headsets, you wont hear the difference, + it'll save you space.

I've done the test with classical (mozart's requiem, great amount of vocals and harmonies), black metal (thorns, very high pitch and dense sound) & even some freakishly rich experimental indie stuff like Múm (specially their album «Yesterday Was Dramatic - Today is ok»)

Finally, for both 320 and 128kbps; it'll never equal the quality of CD, played with a HiFi system.

Answer 2

Quality.

FLAC is a lossless coding (Free Lossless Audio Codec), while MP3 is always with losses (more or less depending on the bit rate).

It means that an high-quality source, as a good CD, ripped as FLAC can always reconstructed wit exactly the same original quality, bit by bit, while encoding as MP3 you have lost, forever, some quality.

If you care about music, and have an high-quality HIFi system, FLAC is the only coding to go.

Of course to listen Pop Music with cheap earphones and cheap portable device, MP3 is OK, but it's another matter.

Only the best music pay-sites deliver for download FLAC files.

Even if you cannot ear the difference, at least see what you are loosing by checking the related link.