Can you distinguish different qualities of MP3 samples?

Dave at Cognitive Daily posted an interesting article about a listener’s ability to discern the differences between high-quality (256kbps), low-quality (128kbps), and really low-quality (64kbps) MP3 samples. I was able to choose them all correctly using my ears, my MacBook Pro’s sound card, and studio quality in-ear monitors.

Let’s see how humemes readers do. Here are the MP3’s he used in a different order:

Copland 1:

Copland 2:

Copland 3:

Santana 1:

Santana 2:

Santana 3:

After you’ve listened, post your guesses in the comments.

2 comments ↓

#1 siddartha on 01.03.08 at 2:56 pm

Santana 1 starts away a considerable difference of 1-1.5 secs earlier than Santanas 2 and then 3, so the first must be 64 kbps, so I’d guess without listening.

#2 Colin on 02.02.08 at 2:33 am

Copland 1= 256kbps
Copland 2= 128kbps
Copland 3= 64kbps
Santana 1= 64kbps
Santana 2= 256kbps
Santana 3= 128kbps

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