Glossary
What is MP3?
MarkdownWhat it is
MP3 removes sounds that are hard to hear to make files much smaller than WAV. At 128 kbps speech sounds fine, and music is often kept at 192 to 320 kbps.
Why it matters on a Mac
Apple devices commonly use AAC in M4A, but MP3 is accepted by more players, cars and old devices.
How to check it on macOS
Select the file in Finder and press Command-I, or drop it into Media Info in Toolbox to see its bitrate and sample rate.
How Toolbox handles it
Convert Audio writes MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC or AIFF. Extract Audio pulls a video's sound out as MP3, M4A, WAV or FLAC. Both let you pick a bitrate from 128 to 320 kbps for MP3 and M4A.
Frequently asked questions
Is MP3 or M4A better?
M4A (AAC) often sounds better at the same bitrate. MP3 is more widely supported.
Can I get lost quality back?
No. Converting from MP3 to WAV does not restore detail.
What bitrate is best for music?
192 to 320 kbps.
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