Compare audio formats like M4A and MP3, AC3, WMA.
Apart from M4A, there are many other active audio formats. For example, the popular MP3, AC3, WMA, OGG, etc.
What is the difference between M4A and MP3, AC3, WMA? What is better about M4A than MP3, AC3, WMA and OGG? Then read the next sentence to see the battle in audio compression format.
M4A and MP3: Both M4A (MPEG 4 audio) and MP3 (MPEG3 audio) are audio compression formats developed by the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG). Next, I will introduce the differences between M4A MP3 in terms of file size, sound quality and compatibility.
Sound Quality: The M4A format, known as Apple Lossless Encoder, aims to replace MP3 with a new standard for audio compression. However, when comparing M4A MP3 for sound quality, M4A is better. Generally speaking, it is recommended to store music with M4A audio at 192 kbps bit rate for good sound quality and small file size.
File size: In terms of file size, M4A is often believed to have superior sound quality than MP3 when encoded at the same bit rate. For example, with 128-bit AAC (M4A), a 4 minute song would be 3.8 MB. To maintain the same sound quality with MP3, it is necessary to encode at a rate of approximately 192 bits. Then the file size will exceed 3.8MB.
Compatibility: Currently, M4A is only used on PC, iPod and other Apple devices and is not as popular as MP3. In contrast, all computers, music players, and mobile phones can play MP3 files.
Tip: If sound quality is a priority, neither M4A nor MP4 is the best option. It is advisable to choose the uncompressed WAV format. However, the size of the WAV file is about 10 times that of M4A and MP3. Therefore, WAV, which takes up too much space when creating a music collection, is not the best format.
M4A, MP3 and WMA: WMA A lossy compression codec developed by Microsoft. Like other new formats, M4A and WMA have higher compression efficiency and better sound quality than MP3. Sound quality is particularly good at low bit rates. As a result, WMA works well for low-bandwidth video streaming. Therefore, songs purchased from online music stores Napster, Musixmatch, and Wal-Mart must be stored in WMA. However, WMA cannot be played on Apple iPod, which is a shame.
Comparison of audio compression formats
Audio compression format
Sampling rate
Bit rate
stereo
M4A
8-192 kHz
8-529 kbit / s (stereo)
Yes: Dual, Mid / Side, Strength, Parametric
MP3
8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 kHz
8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320 kbit / s
Yes: Dual, Mid / Side, Strength
AC3
32, 44.1, 48 kHz
32? 640 kbit / s
Yes
WMA
8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 32, 44.1, 48 kHz
8? 768 kbit / s
Yes
FLAC
1-655 350 Hz
8, 16, 20, 24, 32
Yes
A THE C
1? 384000 Hz
16, 20, 24, 32
Yes
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