Maximum PCs MP3 bit rate challenge...

MSP · 12-04-2005, 03:05 PM

I tried to find this article online but apparently it's only in print. Anyway, Maximum PC did a Pepsi Challenge of sort where a bunch of tracks, all chosen by their panel, were played at different bit rates and the panel had to guess which were compressed and which were not.

The results didn't surprise me at all because I did the same thing about 5 years ago right before I started ripping my CD collection en masse. Anyway, nobody could consistently tell a difference above 160kbps VBR, which just happens to be the rate at which I encode.

The funniest guy was the audiophile on the panel, because he was totally blown away. "I specifically chose this song because I thought it would be easy [to identify the compressed version]. It wasn't...."

Mr. Ali · 12-04-2005, 03:09 PM

scan it!

MSP · 12-04-2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Ali

scan it!

I knew somebody was going to say that!

OK, I scanned them. Now I just need a host. Or I can email the pics to those interested. (9.5MB for all four pictures)

super_Chris · 12-04-2005, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Ali

scan it!

I knew somebody was going to say that!

OK, I scanned them. Now I just need a host. Or I can email the pics to those interested. (9.5MB for all four pictures)

Photoshop them down to 1MB>* then imageshack.us them?

Miller · 12-04-2005, 03:35 PM

miller3@gmail.com

i can host them

MSP · 12-04-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

miller3@gmail.com

i can host them

On the way! I didn't think there would be much interest frankly...

Miller · 12-04-2005, 04:12 PM

http://www.forestsofazure.com/t3d/mps/mp3_rate_1.jpg
http://www.forestsofazure.com/t3d/mps/mp3_rate_2.jpg
http://www.forestsofazure.com/t3d/mps/mp3_rate_3.jpg
http://www.forestsofazure.com/t3d/mps/mp3_rate_4.jpg

they're uploading right now so they might not work right away

hans5849 · 12-04-2005, 06:33 PM

i encode at maximum with VBR using lame, basically because i like things in excess.

super_Chris · 12-04-2005, 06:54 PM

Miller, pictures 2 and 4 aren't loading completely for me.

rocadelpunk · 12-05-2005, 01:00 AM

i love how they conveniently don't mention the equipment or exact testing procedures.

MSP · 12-05-2005, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocadelpunk

i love how they conveniently don't mention the equipment or exact testing procedures.

They did list the equipment and methodology, on page #2. It doesn't appear that page is working.

ninefivezero · 12-10-2005, 05:24 PM

What was the gear they were using? I can't get that page to load either.

rocadelpunk · 12-11-2005, 06:39 AM

yah, I am curious on what equipment they used.

b/c even on my senn hd497 cans and doing blind testing with a friend I can tell the difference between lossless/lossy

MSP · 12-11-2005, 08:12 AM

They were using Sennheiser 580s I think on the new Sound Blaster X-Fi. You don't get much better fidelity than that, not on equipment we can actually aford anyway.

rocadelpunk · 12-11-2005, 08:18 AM

I can't remember, did they say what music files they were using?

I mean in all honesty it doesn't really matter much.

There's so few people who can or who care about differentiation between lossless/lossy and even fewer who are willing to sacrifice the hardrive space that it's a moot point.

and the people are more or less gonna want to believe what they want either way.

Home > Discussion > Off-Topic Maximum PCs MP3 bit rate challenge...
Join The Cult	Tweakers	Image Gallery	Donate	Search	Today's Posts	Mark Forums Read

12-04-2005, 03:05 PM	Maximum PCs MP3 bit rate challenge...	permalink #1
MSP Globe Trekker Jan 2005 Last Seen: Yesterday Posts: 15,233 (#1) Thanked 2x in 2 posts x81	I tried to find this article online but apparently it's only in print. Anyway, Maximum PC did a Pepsi Challenge of sort where a bunch of tracks, all chosen by their panel, were played at different bit rates and the panel had to guess which were compressed and which were not. The results didn't surprise me at all because I did the same thing about 5 years ago right before I started ripping my CD collection en masse. Anyway, nobody could consistently tell a difference above 160kbps VBR, which just happens to be the rate at which I encode. The funniest guy was the audiophile on the panel, because he was totally blown away. "I specifically chose this song because I thought it would be easy [to identify the compressed version]. It wasn't...."

Yesterday, 05:30 PM	#2
Sponsored Links
(hide)

12-04-2005, 03:09 PM	permalink #2
Mr. Ali Lord Of Porn Jan 2005 Last Seen: Today Location: CA, USA Posts: 3,154 (#22) Thanked 1x in one post x30	scan it!
	"As a Ford owner, trust me when I say, you will never regret anything more in your life than buying a Ford over a Toyota." - Dan T3D

12-04-2005, 03:35 PM	permalink #5
Miller Former Alcoholic Jan 2005 Last Seen: Yesterday Location: The Gym Posts: 4,759 (#8) Thanked 1x in one post x13	miller3@gmail.com i can host them
	Conroe E6600 @ 3.4ghz - eVGA 122-ck-nf68 680i SLI - 4gigs Corsair Dominator DDR2-800 - eVGA GeFroce 8800GTS Superclocked - VGA Geforce 7600 - 2 20" lcd monitors 1 22" widescreen lcd - windows vista 64/XP 64 dual boot - 1.3TB hard drive space - soon to come OSX

Welcome to Tweak3D

Login to reply. Sign-up here.

	User Name Password Save? Not Registered Yet? Go here.

	Home Forums Deals Articles Reviews About

12-04-2005, 04:12 PM	permalink #7
Miller Former Alcoholic Jan 2005 Last Seen: Yesterday Location: The Gym Posts: 4,759 (#8) Thanked 1x in one post x13	http://www.forestsofazure.com/t3d/mps/mp3_rate_1.jpg http://www.forestsofazure.com/t3d/mps/mp3_rate_2.jpg http://www.forestsofazure.com/t3d/mps/mp3_rate_3.jpg http://www.forestsofazure.com/t3d/mps/mp3_rate_4.jpg they're uploading right now so they might not work right away

12-04-2005, 06:33 PM	permalink #8
hans5849 Has Absolutely no life Jan 2005 Last Seen: Yesterday Location: The Gorge, WA Posts: 6,452 (#3) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x45	i encode at maximum with VBR using lame, basically because i like things in excess.
	Driving the bus to hell since 1984.

12-04-2005, 06:54 PM	permalink #9
super_Chris Habitual line stepper Jan 2005 Last Seen: Yesterday Location: Lake Elsinore, CA, USA Posts: 3,369 (#20) Thanked 1x in one post x0	Miller, pictures 2 and 4 aren't loading completely for me.

12-05-2005, 01:00 AM	permalink #10
rocadelpunk Tweak Minion Jan 2005 Last Seen: 05-08-2008 Location: c-bus Posts: 1,244 (#72) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x0	i love how they conveniently don't mention the equipment or exact testing procedures.
	"did i listen to pop music because i was miserable, or was i miserable because i listened to pop music?" ward is fucking awesome.

12-10-2005, 05:24 PM	permalink #12
ninefivezero infinite resolution Jan 2005 Last Seen: Yesterday Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,744 (#6) Thanked 3x in 2 posts x232	What was the gear they were using? I can't get that page to load either.
	"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

12-11-2005, 06:39 AM	permalink #13
rocadelpunk Tweak Minion Jan 2005 Last Seen: 05-08-2008 Location: c-bus Posts: 1,244 (#72) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x0	yah, I am curious on what equipment they used. b/c even on my senn hd497 cans and doing blind testing with a friend I can tell the difference between lossless/lossy

12-11-2005, 08:12 AM	permalink #14
MSP Globe Trekker Jan 2005 Last Seen: Yesterday Posts: 15,233 (#1) Thanked 2x in 2 posts x81	They were using Sennheiser 580s I think on the new Sound Blaster X-Fi. You don't get much better fidelity than that, not on equipment we can actually aford anyway.

12-11-2005, 08:18 AM	permalink #15
rocadelpunk Tweak Minion Jan 2005 Last Seen: 05-08-2008 Location: c-bus Posts: 1,244 (#72) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x0	I can't remember, did they say what music files they were using? I mean in all honesty it doesn't really matter much. There's so few people who can or who care about differentiation between lossless/lossy and even fewer who are willing to sacrifice the hardrive space that it's a moot point. and the people are more or less gonna want to believe what they want either way.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ram command rate	El_Presidente_Pufferfish	Tech	5	07-26-2006 05:22 PM
Online Merchants Challenge 43% of Chargebacks	tweakmonkey	Status and Feedback	0	04-19-2006 12:37 AM
A little challenge for youUPDATED with an answer*	ivwshane	Off-Topic	35	01-17-2006 11:58 AM
How do you change the refresh rate in ubuntu live?	ivwshane	Tech	3	12-19-2005 06:13 AM
user challenge contact form for serurity question	hafleystyles	Tech	2	08-28-2005 02:37 AM