![]() This is because it has been optimized for streaming, which reduces file sizes while maintaining sound quality. Which is the better Audio Codec, AAC or FLAC?ĪAC is the best codec for streaming music most of the time. Its popularity grows as high-resolution audio playing becomes more common. While less compatible, audiophiles favor FLAC for its fidelity. Conversely, FLAC is an open-source, lossless codec preserving audio quality at the cost of larger files. ![]() Its compatibility with various devices solidifies its position as a preferred audio codec. CompatibilityĪAC, a lossy compression format, maintains audio quality while reducing file size, making it ideal for platforms like iTunes, YouTube, and streaming services. Conversely, AAC still gives good quality, particularly at larger bitrates. On the other hand, AAC is a lossy codec, meaning that some information is discarded during compression, resulting in a modest loss in audio quality. FLAC is a lossless codec, offering audio with no information loss. Generally, sound quality is affected by various circumstances however, assuming all else remains constant, FLAC has better audio quality than AAC. FLAC is often used to store old files due to this. This means the sound quality stays the same, but the file size does not get smaller. On the other hand, FLAC is lossless, which means that after compression, it keeps almost all of the audio data. But the sound quality is not up to the mark. It also means that it costs less to download lossy files. This usually makes lossy files smaller, which can be good for portable devices. CompressionĪAC is a lossy format, meaning it removes non-essential, less easily observable musical characteristics. Generally, FLAC files are three to five times larger than their AAC counterparts. A 5-minute AAC song (320 kbps stereo) may be 10 MB, whereas the same song in FLAC (44.1 kHz, 16-bit) could reach 50 MB, similar to the original size. A typical 320 kbps stereo AAC album occupies around 120 MB, while a 16-bit FLAC album requires about 400 MB. The size of FLAC and AAC files can vary greatly based on the music dynamics, compression level, original file format, and other factors. Preferred by audiophiles and for high-resolution audio Less common (not preferred by many streaming services) Widely used (e.g., iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music) Lower (not natively supported by some major devices) ![]() High (supported by most devices and streaming services) Good, but slightly lower than the original Smaller (approximately 1/3 - 1/5 of the FLAC size) Let's compare AAC and FLAC based on some key factors: Factor Some devices might not be able to play FLAC files, which could be an issue for some users.Since FLAC files are bigger than other lossy codecs, they aren't as good for streaming.FLAC files are the best way to store and keep audio files.It is used by many media players and operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, and Linux.FLAC gives you high-quality audio with no information loss.It was made by the Xiph.Org Foundation and is used to store and keep track of audio files. AAC files may seem a little more "metallic" to some users than other codecs.įLAC stands for "Free Lossless Audio Codec." It is a " lossless" codec that is made to provide high-quality audio without losing any information.Because AAC is a lossy codec, it compresses the audio data and throws some of it away.AAC files are good for streaming because they are smaller than other lossless codecs.Several platforms and devices support it, including iTunes, iOS, and Android.At the same bitrate, AAC offers greater sound quality than MP3.It was developed by the MPEG organization and is used for streaming audio and video. What is AAC?ĪAC, or Advanced Audio Coding, is a lossy codec that transmits high-quality audio at modest bitrates. Let's find out more about these codecs in the sections that follow. Audio files are archived and preserved using it. FLAC, on the other hand, is a lossless codec renowned for its superior audio quality. Knowing the specifics of the codecs can help you make a better, more informed decision.ĪAC is the default codec for iTunes and Apple Music and is commonly used for streaming audio. The absence of audio codecs would make the files bulky and difficult to transmit because they would require a lot of storage space. Audio codecs are useful when digital audio data must be compressed to be stored and transmitted.
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