Lossless vs Lossy audio
Lossless formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV) preserve every original bit; decode identical to source. Lossy formats (MP3, AAC, Ogg) discard "less-audible" data to shrink file size - saves 80-90% storage but introduces audible artifacts on complex material.
Lossless audio compression preserves every bit of the original recording. Decoded audio is bit-perfect identical to source. Examples: FLAC, ALAC (Apple), WAV (uncompressed), AIFF, WavPack.
Lossy audio compression discards psychoacoustically “less-important” information to achieve much smaller file sizes. Examples: MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, Opus, MQA.
File size comparison (5-min song)
- WAV (uncompressed) – 50 MB
- FLAC (lossless) – 25-30 MB
- MP3 320 kbps – 12 MB
- MP3 128 kbps – 5 MB
Audible difference
Most listeners can’t reliably distinguish 320 kbps AAC from lossless in blind tests. Below 256 kbps, artifacts become audible on complex material (cymbals, orchestra crescendos). Archive in lossless (FLAC); stream lossy is fine.
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