Are all mp3 conversion tools created equal!?

[stevemac]

When converting to MP3 from WAV files - will any converter do or are there big differences between conversion softwares?

thanks!

[chk071]

There shouldn't be much of a difference really. But i'd make sure i use the latest LAME MP3 codec, as far as i read it's supposed to be better (higher quality at the same file size) than the Fraunhofer MP3 codec. Also make sure the settings are feasible for the quality you want to achieve. There are some good tutorials here if you speak german: http://www.mpx.net/info/anleitungen.html

[BertKoor]

Like chk071 said, LAME is the best encoding engine available. I estimate more than half of all MP3 conversion utilities available use the LAME engine. So with the same settings they should produce the same MP3 file.

You will notice differences with low bitrates and material that occupies the whole frequency spectrum. You can do some tests and listen which one is best according to your own taste.

[stevemac]

Thanks guys, very useful

[NystagmusE]

Most MP3 codecs default to joint stereo which collapses the bass below a certain corner frequency to mono. With the right codec front-end you can change the setting to stereo or dual mono, and you'll get fuller more spacious bass that way. Personally I like using LAME and a good front end.