FLAC for listening; worth it?
11-23-2014, 12:30 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
FLAC for listening; worth it?
I usually have Spotify pumping through my B&O speakers via an iPhone 5s. Just signed up for a free trial of TIDAL, which offers "FLAC on all platforms apart from iOS, where ALAC (Apple Lossless) is used, and available to stream in 44.1 kHz / 16 bit (1411kbps)".
Only took a quick 10 min drive, but cannot tell a difference.
Is FLAC pointless on mobile audio systems? Is the iPhone 5s (via bluetooth streaming) just a poor vector to deliver hi-fi content? I'm not saying Spotify steaming sounds poor (it's rather good actually), but i guess i expected to be blown away by 1411kbps.
I will say, however, watching a DVD with B&O + Rear Entrainment is amazing. My personal home theater; alls i need now is a dedicated driver!
Only took a quick 10 min drive, but cannot tell a difference.
Is FLAC pointless on mobile audio systems? Is the iPhone 5s (via bluetooth streaming) just a poor vector to deliver hi-fi content? I'm not saying Spotify steaming sounds poor (it's rather good actually), but i guess i expected to be blown away by 1411kbps.I will say, however, watching a DVD with B&O + Rear Entrainment is amazing. My personal home theater; alls i need now is a dedicated driver!
11-23-2014, 04:03 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
11-23-2014, 04:52 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Bluetooth Audio's default encoder is SBC with a maximum bitrate just north of 320 kbs for 2 channel stereo. An ALAC or FLAC file, depending on the sampling speed and bit depth of the recording, can be up to 24 bit/192kbs files which run at around 4600 kbs.
Tidal is sending the equivalent bitrate of CD, which is around 1400kbs as you mentioned. Your Iphone's DAC can handle lossless files at that level with ALAC encoding but output has to be through Lightning or 30 pin.
Bluetooth is going to scale it down to a high MP3 bitrate, which is why you hear no difference.
The problem is that there is no direct Lightning adapter for the W221 media interface. You'd need the 30 pin to Lightning adapter and a dock extender from the glove box to the cabin for your phone and install a mount. (I have a post about that in my blog) .
I think you'll notice a difference on your B&O once it's connected direct. I started the free 7 day trial, connected direct via Iphone 4s using a 3G connection and it sounded great...much more open than the AAC files. It's a good deal louder than the identical AAC track, and in an AB test the Tidal tracks were a clear improvement. Much more intimacy in the vocals and acoustic guitars. A little too bright and brassy on my modified HK. Downer that I can't use any EQ and I wouldn't recommend it for non B&O and non upgraded HK.
Tidal is sending the equivalent bitrate of CD, which is around 1400kbs as you mentioned. Your Iphone's DAC can handle lossless files at that level with ALAC encoding but output has to be through Lightning or 30 pin.
Bluetooth is going to scale it down to a high MP3 bitrate, which is why you hear no difference.
The problem is that there is no direct Lightning adapter for the W221 media interface. You'd need the 30 pin to Lightning adapter and a dock extender from the glove box to the cabin for your phone and install a mount. (I have a post about that in my blog) .
I think you'll notice a difference on your B&O once it's connected direct. I started the free 7 day trial, connected direct via Iphone 4s using a 3G connection and it sounded great...much more open than the AAC files. It's a good deal louder than the identical AAC track, and in an AB test the Tidal tracks were a clear improvement. Much more intimacy in the vocals and acoustic guitars. A little too bright and brassy on my modified HK. Downer that I can't use any EQ and I wouldn't recommend it for non B&O and non upgraded HK.
Last edited by Mike5215; 11-23-2014 at 11:45 PM.
11-25-2014, 06:14 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
11-25-2014, 06:17 PM
#7
Newbie
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
S320 CDI
Though i am very greatful for the PCMCIA Slot 
Trending Topics
12-01-2014, 12:22 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Bluetooth Audio's default encoder is SBC with a maximum bitrate just north of 320 kbs for 2 channel stereo. An ALAC or FLAC file, depending on the sampling speed and bit depth of the recording, can be up to 24 bit/192kbs files which run at around 4600 kbs.
Tidal is sending the equivalent bitrate of CD, which is around 1400kbs as you mentioned. Your Iphone's DAC can handle lossless files at that level with ALAC encoding but output has to be through Lightning or 30 pin.
Bluetooth is going to scale it down to a high MP3 bitrate, which is why you hear no difference.
The problem is that there is no direct Lightning adapter for the W221 media interface. You'd need the 30 pin to Lightning adapter and a dock extender from the glove box to the cabin for your phone and install a mount. (I have a post about that in my blog) .
I think you'll notice a difference on your B&O once it's connected direct. I started the free 7 day trial, connected direct via Iphone 4s using a 3G connection and it sounded great...much more open than the AAC files. It's a good deal louder than the identical AAC track, and in an AB test the Tidal tracks were a clear improvement. Much more intimacy in the vocals and acoustic guitars. A little too bright and brassy on my modified HK. Downer that I can't use any EQ and I wouldn't recommend it for non B&O and non upgraded HK.
Tidal is sending the equivalent bitrate of CD, which is around 1400kbs as you mentioned. Your Iphone's DAC can handle lossless files at that level with ALAC encoding but output has to be through Lightning or 30 pin.
Bluetooth is going to scale it down to a high MP3 bitrate, which is why you hear no difference.
The problem is that there is no direct Lightning adapter for the W221 media interface. You'd need the 30 pin to Lightning adapter and a dock extender from the glove box to the cabin for your phone and install a mount. (I have a post about that in my blog) .
I think you'll notice a difference on your B&O once it's connected direct. I started the free 7 day trial, connected direct via Iphone 4s using a 3G connection and it sounded great...much more open than the AAC files. It's a good deal louder than the identical AAC track, and in an AB test the Tidal tracks were a clear improvement. Much more intimacy in the vocals and acoustic guitars. A little too bright and brassy on my modified HK. Downer that I can't use any EQ and I wouldn't recommend it for non B&O and non upgraded HK.
The only probably now is, I love the convenience of Spotify search, and just being able to listen to pretty much whatever, whenever I want. I think I will revisit the ALAC option next year when I upgrade my iPhone 5s to the iPhone 6s; will use the iPhone 5s as an iPod, and download the FLAC files via TIDAL on Wifi, and listen off line. Can't do it with the 3G as it's waaay old tech. In the meantime, I will "make do" with 320kbps.
