I'm pissed, and feel more than a little ripped off. I made an assumption, and we all know what happens when you assume. Back in April, I wrote about EMI working with Apple's iTunes to make the EMI catalog of songs available for download without DRM and at a higher bit rate — at a higher price. I made a big deal about the potential sonic improvements that the new iTunes Plus songs, encoded at 256 kbps, had over regular, 128-kbps iTunes songs. Excuse me for a second while I extricate my size 7 Crocs out of my mouth, because, like Apple, I'm changing my tune. Why? Read on.
I just downloaded identical songs and did my own listening test. (I had done some early listening tests on music tracks years ago comparing these same bit rates, and the differences were more obvious, but this was with early versions of AAC — the codec that Apple uses for all songs on iTunes.) I work in a recording studio so setting up a side-by-side comparison of the tracks was very easy for me. I wish hearing the differences between the tracks had been as easy.
I used the main monitors in the studio as well as a pair of high-end headphones. I downloaded about 20 songs, some new, some old, and tried to hear differences in the files. I spent hours listening, switching from 128 to 256 and back, straining to hear something — anything — different about the tracks. My critical listening skills are pretty good, but this was pushing the limit. To be fair, there were differences, but they were subtle. For example, on David Bowie's "Space Oddity," the high-end clarity was a bit more pronounced on the 256-kbps version, and on KT Tunstell's "Other Side of The World," the guitars were slightly more detailed. It would've been extremely hard to distinguish had I not been switching instantly from one format to the other.
I think iTunes Plus is just another clever way for Apple to make more money. One incriminating piece of evidence: Once you switch your iTunes Music Store preferences to show you iTunes Plus songs when available, it no longer shows you the regular 99-cent songs. Apple is getting more of my money, and I can barely hear the difference. The sound quality bump isn't worth 30 cents. I support the removal of DRM, but if you're listening on an iPod anyway, that's not worth 30 cents either.
editor@dvice.com
By timur at 5:52 AM ON 07/13/07
Try converting both songs to MP3 format and see if you still can't hear the difference.
By ciaocibai at 1:23 PM ON 07/15/07
You know what the say - assumptions are the mother of all f-ups.
In all honesty, I don't think the bitrate makes much difference to me, as I'm no kind of audiophile. However, for many people, the freedom of being unleashed from an ipod is pretty great, and it lowers the switching cost if you choose to change to another device in the future if your on an ipod now.
Just because it wasn't what you thought it was doesn't mean it sucks, and it's not like anyone is forcing you to buy the higher bitrate, DRM free songs, but more choice is good in my opinion.
It's unfortunate when people who don't consider the arguments launch off in to a rant without considering how the changes might affect other people.
By papacy at 2:56 AM ON 07/19/07
As usual, the SciFi tech column is absurdly, obviously, conspicuously anti-Apple... I'm no Apple-addict or anything, but i DO resent being preached to by some editor with a bad attitude and a (thinly) hidden agenda. Of course, they're also hyping another 'iPhone killer' story at the same time... big surprise.
Someone should mention to the losers editing this page that this site was meant to be read by people who actually LIKE technology.
By chatoyant at 6:01 AM ON 07/19/07
You spent $ 0.30 extra for 20 songs to test the fidelity and feel ripped off? Get a grip. The real problem with Mac users is our expectations are unreachable. I realize we need criticism when a product doesn't perform as expected or it would just seem like gushing over every new technology, but this is sort of whining.
There is no hacking involved in turning the AAP to MP3, it is a straightforward process and legal. Which is the point. Some of that money goes to the music producers for giving up the copy protection rights, right? Steve still ain't as rich as Bill Gates (who does a LOT more to f*up our lives) so leave the cheap shots to the deserving, please.
By Paranoimia at 7:43 AM ON 07/19/07
Of course, you could always burn your (standard) iTunes purchases to a re-writeable CD, rip them back as MP3 and use them wherever the hell you like!
By delphin1 at 10:08 AM ON 07/19/07
In the article it is stated (or alluded) that you cannot change back to the non-iTunes Plus versions when selecting music. That is not true! You have to log into your account (Store>View My Account) and then select the "Manage iTunes Plus" button. When the screen loads, just uncheck the box near the bottom. Now you will no longer see the iTunes Plus songs when you browse for music.
By Scion_68 at 11:52 AM ON 07/19/07
I passed on iTunes Plus completely. I don't see how it's useful to the average user. I don't have an iPod or a mp3 player. I just burn my songs on to CD for use in my car and have never had a problem. The sound level can be different between AAC and mp3 but, so what?
By Fightclubfan at 8:17 AM ON 07/23/07
Again - another Apple bashing article by SciFi Tech.
I have to wonder where the balance is - once again!
Still Apple must be doing something right if Vista copied so much of OS X's layout.
sigh..
By molochreborn at 12:35 PM ON 08/03/07
I am more then happy to not only come here, but to continue coming here to hear other points of view about any technology maker.
I have an iPod, and it has some really crappy features about it. I could easily list a dozen of them, but the fact that I expose them doesn't mean that Apple's iPod isn't worth buying. Hell, I'm looking at buying a new one in few days!
I like to buy my technology based on what the best product on the market is for me. Panasonic, Sony, Microsoft, Apple, etc... I DON'T care who makes it, so long as it's a good product. PLEASE, everyone needs to stop getting upset and wasting space by complaining that their favorite company is getting bad reviews. If you feel SciFi is being biased about Apple, then go to apple.com and read two of their articles for every "anti-apple" article that you feel you read here.
And to the people writing all the articles, please keep them coming. For every angry person at the extremes that you hear from, there are 10 people in the middle who don't buy into their zealousness. Just because we aren't upset, and so don't complain... doesn't mean we have no opinion.