Lossless Audio - a simple summary

[Obsydian]

With Spotify, a decade late to the party, many people are asking, 'What is lossless audio, is it worth it?'

As a self-certified Audiophile (AudioFool, as you tend to spend eye-watering money), here are my thoughts, all my words, no AI or internet plagiarism 

#1. COMPRESSION

Audio has two bookends: Lossy (compressed) or Lossless (uncompressed). Anything that is compressed is lossy, as in you lose something, but newer formats like LDAC profess to overcome that.

#2. WHY

When internet bandwidth and storage were slow and small, downloading and storing audio was an issue, so various compression formats where created, MP3 is what most of us remembered, to newer LDAC and the old FLAC and WAV.

#3. OTHER

To logic was also, people did not care or hear the difference, i recall decades ago Pioneer invented Legato Link, logic was you cannot hear certain frequencies so just get rid of them to save storage, bandwith, but Pioneer said the sound over 20Mhz or whatever it was did make a difference. The same applies to lossless, originally aimed at the digital types and high end Hifi, but as mobile music became popular a few Audiophile services tipped up, but where expensive.

#4. DIFFERENCE

My personal view, try a simple A - B - A, as in play the same track (something your familiar with) Lossy version - Lossless version - Lossy version, then decide for yourself. If you cannot discern be content you have saved yourself an OCD level of FoMo.

#5. BUT WHY

Well for me there is a BIG audible difference when i listen to my own ripped WAV or FLAC (lossless) content and also Qobuz HiRes, i tend to explain it as simple, it sounds free NOT congested.

It is more dynamic, various elments of the music are laid out, you appreciate the soundstage, realise there are backing singers, details, nuances, you missed, the pace, rythm and timing which are missed with Lossy, for me make or break a good track.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Let your feet and bum decide if its worth it, for me Lossless (i mean proper) gets you toes tapping, bum shuffling, and you want to dance.

#Lossless #Lossy #Audiophile #Music #Audio

[smiley]

Great post @Obsidian. Thanks for taking the time to explain these different audio formats.

I do remember after buying my Sony XM4s a couple of years ago that they came with a few months trial of tidal... and the sound quality upgrade of FLAC was noticeable.

Certainly with listening to orchestral type music (let's say Pete Tong Heritage orchestra)... you could certainly hear additional dynamic range and even some more noticeable instruments in the background.

I guess it also comes down to the device. The Over ear XM4s sounded great with a good source... but whether i would notice the same difference with my daily Buds3Pro... I am unsure.

Also as age has moved on and my ears are getting worse, I think hearing loss also pays a factor. Going to loud gigs and large rave ups during my twenties has certainly taken its toll to my ear drums over the years 😬

Smiley.

[Obsydian]

Yes age is a factor allot of Audiophile types i know sold up £200k systems sadly due to hearing issues.

[Star_girl]

Thank you for this thread. Very informative.😊

[JAMES4578]

@Obsydian Thanks for the detailed explanation as not everyone will be aware.

A link in this article with examples to for testing https://xander51.medium.com/want-to-see-if-you-can-hear-the-difference-between-lossy-and-lossless-au...

[zenbirder]

A wonderful and informative exposition, many thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.
However, a small caveat, age does not necessarily degrade ones ability to enjoy the frequency range available to our younger readers. As a general trend it is indeed the case, but not always. I'm a birder, and I am frequently astonished that others in my team cannot hear certain bird songs and calls that I am still fortunate enough to hear. It's the luck of the draw, and my middle name is "lucky"! 🙂🙏

[GreaterGalaxyUK]

It is a shame that Samsung have not unlocked the codecs such as Aptx Loseless. The Samsung codec does sound amazing. However, it does limit the options if looking to buy earbuds with Aptx Loseless or even LDAC for that matter.

[Obsydian]

The slap in the face from Samsung, is buying a £1700 device with the latest Snapdragon Elite 8 chipset that support Snapdragon sound, basically lossless, ans only allowed a compressed SSC format, now that 🔥🔥🔥

[Obsydian]

Then having to spend £350 on a Creative Labs BTW6 and lossless earbuds, i tried 3 including Bose, Seinhesser and settled on Creative labs Aurvana Ace 2.