What is AAC?
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is a “lossy” audio compression format. “Lossy” means that some of the original data is permanently removed during compression, which results in a smaller file size. There is a slight reduction in quality as well, but most listeners can’t tell the difference. The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) developed AAC as a successor to the MP3 format.
Most popular devices and platforms(Apple, Android, YouTube, Spotify) support AAC.
Key things to know about AAC:
- Better sound than MP3: If you compare AAC to MP3 at the same bit rate, AAC offers better audio quality, particularly at lower bit rates. This is why streaming platforms and mobile devices often default to AAC.
- Compression efficiency: AAC uses more advanced file compression techniques compared to MP3, which results in much smaller file sizes while still preserving audio clarity.
- File formats: Typically, AAC files have the extensions .m4a, .m4b, or .mp4, depending on their use (music, audiobooks, or video, respectively).
Is AAC audio good?
Yes, AAC audio is quite good. It’s a good alternative to MP3 since it offers better audio quality than MP3 at the same bit rate and performs better than MP3 at lower bit rates.
Which is better quality, AAC or WAV?
WAV files give you better audio quality. AAC is a lossy format that sacrifices some quality to make the file size smaller. WAV is an uncompressed, lossless format ( no data is lost during compression), so it has better audio quality and a significantly larger file size. When it comes to storage and streaming, AAC is preferred for the balance between quality and file size it offers.
Which is better, FLAC or AAC?
Like WAV, FLAC is a lossless format. So for audiophiles, FLAC is a better choice. AAC is better for everyday use i.e. streaming music or shows.
What are the disadvantages of the AAC format?
- AAC uses lossy compression which means some quality is lost in favor of a smaller file size.
- Although most platforms support AAC, MP3 is still the more widely adopted audio format.
- Since this is a lossy format, AAC isn’t the best if you want to archive original audio files. WAV or FLAC is a much better option for audio professionals like producers and engineers.
