AAC at 128kbps v2 public listening test

Since the last AAC at 128kbps listening test, there has been a lot of development in the AAC codec market. Ahead/Nero got much better tuned, iTunes was released for Windows, Compaact! was launched, FAAC also got much better, according to reports, and Real Networks started offering the CodingTechnologies AAC encoder as part of their Real Producer application.

This test's purpose is to find what encoder performs best encoding AAC at an average bitrate of 128kbps.

The encoders and parameters tested are:

• Ahead/Nero AACenc v 2.6.2.0 -internet profile, high quality, LC
• Apple iTunes 4.2 (Apple/QuickTime) 128kbps
• Compaact! 1.2beta3 (zPlane/HHI) VBR 5, high quality, LC
• FAAC 1.23.5 -q 115
• Real Producer 10 beta (CodingTechnologies) 128kbps

• Who should take the test?

  Anyone interested in AAC quality, or people that have no interest but would like to help making this test better. You don't need excellent hearing, but some good gear is welcome (headphones are must-have).

• How do I take the test?

  Download ABC/HR + the readme file from one of the following locations:

  • http://pessoal.onda.com.br/rjamorim/abc-hr_bin.zip
  • http://audio.ciara.us/test/abc-hr_bin.zip

  Further instructions are available inside the readme.

• I'm on Linux/MacOS/something other than Windows. Can I take the test?

  Yes. You only need a fairly recent version of the Java Runtime Engine installed (1.4+). All instructions are available inside the readme.

• When will the test finish?

  The test is scheduled to end on February 29th. This date may be extended if proven to be necessary.

If you have any other question, please get in touch.

Thank-you very much,

Roberto Amorim.

Back to Roberto's Listening Tests page