Hear LAME quality and bitrate changes on the same passage
Use the supplied test samples for a quick comparison, or choose your own WAV file and let the browser create a private local comparison using LAME 4.0.
LAME MP3 quality listening test
Compare the samples
The player uses one shared Web Audio timeline. Changing bitrate or quality changes the audible source without restarting the track.
1. Choose source
2. Choose mode
3. Switch quality or bitrate
0:000:00
Press Play to load the selected source and mode.
Technical debug log
Compare your own WAV
Choose a mono or stereo WAV up to 6 minutes long. Encoding runs locally in your browser; your audio is not uploaded to lamemp3.co.uk.
Your audio stays on your device. The WAV and generated MP3 files are kept in browser memory for this page session only.
1. Choose WAV
Choose a WAV file up to 6 minutes long.
2. Choose mode
3. Generate comparison
Preparing…Local browser encoding
4. Switch quality or bitrate
0:000:00
Original WAV
Choose a WAV file to begin.
How the local comparison works
The selected mode is encoded in the browser with the same LAME 4.0 WebAssembly encoder used by the site. Generated MP3s stay as in-memory browser objects and are discarded when you choose another file, change mode, reload or close the page.
For longer files the upload comparison uses synchronized browser media playback rather than decoding every generated setting into a complete uncompressed AudioBuffer. This keeps memory use practical while still correcting inactive players toward the active playback position before a switch.
What should I listen for?
There is no pass or fail. Use the player to hear how the same source changes as LAME is given more or less bitrate, or as the encoding mode changes.
Transient detail
Funky Percussions contains sharp attacks, claps and strong upper-frequency detail that can make bitrate and quality changes easier to inspect.
Mixed programme
Background Inspirational provides a brighter mixed-programme reference for comparing settings on more typical musical material.
Instrumental contrast
Upbeat Country Blues adds a contrasting guitar-and-drum balance, helping the comparison cover a different instrumental texture.
128 vs 192 vs 256 vs 320 kbps MP3
CBR and ABR let you compare familiar bitrate steps directly. The measured quality pages show the corresponding file size and frequency-response results; this player lets you hear those settings on the same source without losing the playback position.
Open the player directly in CBR mode for a fixed-bitrate comparison.
Compare CBR bitratesLAME V0 vs V2 and the VBR quality scale
VBR uses a quality target rather than a fixed bitrate. Switching between V0, V2, V4 and the lower V settings lets you compare the effect of LAME's quality scale while the same passage continues to play.
Open the player directly in standard VBR mode.
Compare VBR qualityAbout the source audio
The listening test uses three AudioCoffee samples chosen to make upper-frequency, transient and musical-texture differences easier to inspect. The bitrate shown by the player is calculated from the actual loaded MP3 file and its decoded duration, so it reflects the selected source rather than the older measurement set.
Audio sources by AudioCoffee on Freesound: Funky Percussions, Background Inspirational, and Upbeat Country Blues. Source audio is attributed under its Freesound licence.
Common questions
Can I switch MP3 quality while the sample is playing?
Yes. The comparison player starts the matched files from one shared Web Audio timeline. Switching quality changes which synchronized source is audible without restarting the passage.
Which LAME modes can I compare?
The player supports CBR, ABR, standard VBR, cVBR and cVBRb using the same three source samples as the measured quality pages.
Why use the original WAV as an option?
The uncompressed source gives a direct reference for the matched MP3 encodes and runs on the same playback timeline.
Can I test my own WAV file?
Yes. Use the Own WAV tab to choose a mono or stereo WAV up to four minutes long. The file is encoded locally in the browser and is not uploaded to lamemp3.co.uk.