Notes by ff123
12/09/00: Using Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones. Fanless computer operation. mp3-to-wav decoding using MAD 0.12.3 beta 4.
The velvet.wav clip can be found at the Lame test samples page. I chose the Beyerdynamic headphones over my Grado SR325's because the bass distortion is particularly annoying to me using the Grado's. The velvet clip has some chirping, even on the original, which is something to watch out for.
At 128kbs, there are two artifacts I hear: chirping (from mp3enc and the Alternate codecs) and a background "swirling" noise that reminds me of someone playing a video game. I don't hear either of these two types of artifacts in FastEnc, but I do notice a bit of smearing in the scraping instrument.
| Encoder | bitrate | settings | ABX results | Comment |
| Lame 3.87a (RH) | 128 | j-stereo, -h | didn't bother | swirling sound in the background like someone playing a video game (sounds like laser blasters) |
| FhG 1.2 build 63i external codec (Radium) | 128 | j-stereo, hq | didn't bother | swirling sound in the background; some chirping; worse than Lame or Liquifier |
| FhG "Alternate" codec (MusicMatch 6) | 128 | j-stereo, very high | didn't bother | bad chirping (tied for worst) |
| FhG mp3enc 3.1 | 128 | j-stereo, qual 9 | didn't bother | bad chirping (tied for worst) |
| FhG "FastEnc" codec (Cool Edit Pro 2.1 with MP3 ME plugin) |
128 | j-stereo | 8 of 8 | best; one of the instruments is more smeared out than original |
| Liquifier 5.0 mp3 | 128 | j-stereo | didn't bother | swirling sound in the background |
| Lame 3.87a (RH) | 160 | stereo, -h | 12 of 16 | on the hairy edge of me being able to tell a difference |
| FhG 1.2 build 63i external codec (Radium) | 160 | j-stereo, hq | 14 of 16 | slightly more smear in scraping instrument |
| FhG "Alternate" codec (MusicMatch 6) | 160 | stereo, very high | didn't bother | warble in one section (same as mp3enc) |
| FhG mp3enc 3.1 | 160 | stereo, qual 9 | didn't bother | warble in one section |
| FhG "FastEnc" codec (Cool Edit Pro 2.1 with MP3 ME plugin) |
160 | j-stereo | 12 of 16 | on the hairy edge of me being able to tell a difference |