Anyone here listen to classical music on an iPod?

Grinnin

Grinnin

New member
Does anyone here listen to classical music on an iPod or other type of mp3 player? How much do you think you give up in quality over a CD? I just uploaded a couple of my CD's to the computer and then to the iPod and haven't really had a chance to listen for any length of time yet, but I think it would be great to be able to listen when I'm taking a morning walk or just away from the stereo.
 

KBOC

New member
I don't use an iPod, but el chepo MP3 Player... and I really don't notice the quality difference all that much on a 192 Kpbs rip.

I rip mine with audiograbber, which is freeware.
 
Frederik Magle

Frederik Magle

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Regulator
Well, I'm planning on buying an iPod and will use it for classical music (as well as other genre), mainly by connecting it to my car's sound system. But in any case I expect it to sound ok. Not high-end Hi-Fi of course, but decent quality - especially with bettter headphones than the standard.

In regard to MP3-files in general, if you rip at high bitrates (192kbps or higher, normally I recommend 256kbps or higher for classical music or the "alt-extreme" setting if using "LAME") the quality will be perfectly acceptable for most use.
 
Grinnin

Grinnin

New member
Well I had a little bit of time to listen last night and I can't really tell the difference. I have a Bose Lifestyle home theater system that I use to listen to cd's. They sound great on that, but of course, listening in a room that isn't accoustically perfect there is something lost even there. With the iPod headphones you hear every nuance and it's perfectly balanced, so if anything, it sounds almost better to me.

I'm amazed at how good the earphones sound that came with the iPod. Of course, using a better set of actual headphones is an improvement over the little earbuds. I bought a Dvorak symphony at the iTunes store last night and listened to that as well. Excellent sound. Not a huge selection in classical there, but the prices are good.

It sure is great to carry the music around with me.
 

sunwaiter

New member
i own a creative mp3/wma player. never downloaded any tune cause never could install the software properly. anyway i'm used to recording music in real time, it implies that you still have time for music.

the sound on this little device is average but even for classical pieces with lots of dynamics it's ok. and i generally listen to it on the train.
 
Fretless

Fretless

Member
I use an iPod to listen to classical and everything else, because I do not have a stereo system or CD player of decent quality at home, or a private space in which to listen. So all my listening has to be done on computer with headphones or the iPod while I'm out and about or lying in bed.
I know it's not as good as listening in a nice acoustical space with really good speakers and amplifiers, but I'm also not an audiophile and have gotten just as much enjoyment from my classical stuff with earbuds. I did buy some higher quality ones, though, than what the iPod came with (those I keep for emergency backup). My rips are all 320kbs. My biggest problem right now is probably finding the best setting on the EQ for the iPod. There is a "Classical" setting but I don't think it always best represents the music.
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
My ipod is loaded with classical and jazz - And with a superb Sennheiser headset, I'm ready to go...
 
Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
My iPod is a slightly an 80 GB one and has hundreds and hundreds of CDs of classical music on it.

My big problem with it is the software - iTunes just sucks when it comes to filing music in a sensible manner. Also, the generic term song for everything makes my blood boil and makes me want to slap Apple hard.
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Aloha CT64,

I wholeheartedly share your frustration and indignation in re to the software for ipod. I have learned to live with it and hope that Apple will get *religion* someday and have some real music specialists on-board next time when they are designing a new software especially suitable for classical music.

Cheers,

CD :):):)
 

jcop

New member
marval said:
Hi jcop

I got one of those for Christmas, it will most definately have classical music on it.


Margaret
Click to expand...

Hi Margaret,

I bought one for my wife Christmas, but actually on the 27th I bought one for me two before I was using my mobile phone but the sound from the sansa was at leat 1000 times better. (my opinion ofcourse)

regards,
Johan
 

sunwaiter

New member
telephones sound even worse than piezo-electric speaker in the back of our old car, sometimes i wonder how some music can be recognized. so using an i-pod is indeed a big step forward!
 

Norman

New member
Of course I do when I am traveling. I have a selection of whole operas which I listen to. Quality? That's not what I am looking for when I am on an airplane but the share enjoyment of the music. Even siting in the opera house the quality is not always good, it the sound of people, of the stage etc. iPod is great, it enables me to bring my music with me. However I have invested in good earphones.
 
JHC

JHC

Chief assistant to the assistant chief
sunwaiter said:
i own a creative mp3/wma player. never downloaded any tune cause never could install the software properly. anyway i'm used to recording music in real time, it implies that you still have time for music.

the sound on this little device is average but even for classical pieces with lots of dynamics it's ok. and i generally listen to it on the train.
Click to expand...

Hi Mr Sun:) I have a Creative mp3 player as well, I gave up trying to load via the Creative soft ware so many things went wrong, I now load direct from Windows Media Player no mistakes and a lot easier, I tried various bit rates and in the end settled on 192kbps, I was amazed at the audio quality with the in ear [canal] phones, but keep the volume well down to 3 or 4 bars just to protect the hearing.
 
tittualex

tittualex

New member
I use i-pod to listen to classical music........ I cant find much difference in quality.......... but prolonged use of ear phones may have a negative effect on our hearing..............
 
Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
prolonged use of ear phones DOES have a negative effect on one's hearing (especially when your music's up loud) ... think it's called tinitus.

I own noise reduction earphones ... which are marvellous as I can have the volume down to a civilised level.

Though I remember listening to the last movement of Mahler 6 recently and dozed off on the train right near the end ... and was awoken with a start as the last three fate chords scared the bejeepers out of me.
 
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