What is high resolution sound source and high resolution support?
Easy to understand explanation of “meaning and difference”
The word “high resolution” is often found in new audio-related products, such as digital audio players and headphones. What does it show exactly? Is it possible to hear high resolution with the minicomponent system that I am using now? Let me explain the basics to you. At the same time, let’s introduce Sony’s high-resolution headphones and earphones, as well as recommended players.
High resolution means “high quality equipment and sound source”
“High Resolution” is an abbreviation for “High Resolution Audio”.
Translated into Japanese, it means “high definition, high resolution audio”, but if you roughly correct it in an easy-to-understand way, it is not a mistake to think that it is audio with a higher sound quality than above.
Audio is enjoyed by combining a device (hardware) for playback and a sound source (software) that is the music itself, but there are devices that support high resolution and sound sources recorded in high resolution.
Since the word high resolution itself is almost synonymous with “high sound quality”, it is difficult to understand the range that will be displayed, but many of today’s audio devices have a high resolution logo and you can tell at a glance which is a compatible high resolution product …
This is the high resolution definition decided by the Japan Audio Association, which is an industry group, that is, the logo displayed on audio equipment that meets the required specifications.
If you choose a product with this high resolution logo, you can enjoy high resolution.
This high-resolution logo is displayed on audio equipment that meets the definition set by the Japan Audio Association and serves as a guide for product selection.
This high-resolution logo is displayed on audio equipment that meets the definition set by the Japan Audio Association and serves as a guide for product selection.
Specifically, a digital device, such as a player, can play a WAV / FLAC sound source with a sample rate (sample rate) of 96 kHz or higher and a quantization bit rate of 24-bit or higher.
Since this is the minimum standard, some logo acquisition products cover even higher levels, such as 192 kHz / 24-bit support and 384 kHz / 24-bit support.
High resolution with higher sound quality than a CD
The sample rate and the number of quantization bits are originally numerical values that indicate the “fineness” when converting an analog “sound” digitally, and it can be considered that the higher these numbers, the higher the sound quality.
A CD is an easy-to-understand comparison target.
The standard for CD is 44.1 kHz / 16 bit. In other words, it is easy to think that high resolution, requiring 96 kHz / 24-bit or higher, is audio with a sound quality superior to that of a CD.
Of course, in order to enjoy a high resolution, it is necessary that “the sound source is also recorded in high resolution.”
It is possible to play sound sources other than high resolution, but the sound quality is basically the same as non-high resolution. Currently, Hi-Res Audio sources can be purchased through Music Distribution.
