LAME 3.98.2 VBR bitrate test, all -V settings in 0.5 step increments Options

[Alex B]

Over three years ago I tested the LAME 3.97b1 VBR bitrates (link). For that test I gathered a set of 25 various "reference" tracks. The tracks were specifically selected so that they could more or less represent an average large media library of pop/rock/jazz etc genres. Since then the same set has served well in many occasions. During the preparations of the new public 128 kbps VBR MP3 listening test I gathered another set of classical tracks.

Now I have tested all LAME 3.98.2 VBR settings (in 0.5 step increments) using these two reference sets. For this test I encoded 1050 MP3 files (21x50). I analyzed the files with EncSpot Pro v.2.1 and prosessed the exported data with Excel.

Here are the results:

Some general details: (the frequency values are kHz)


Bitrates "Various":


Bitrates "Classical":


Average Bitrates:




The test tracks:


EDIT:
The classical track #4 has a slightly incorrect name in the table. It should be "Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra - Mahler, Symphony No 8, 2. Ewiger Wonnebrand".

The source data is available here: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....st&p=601002 (Excel sheet)

This post has been edited by Alex B: Dec 3 2008, 11:03

[Pio2001]

Hello,
A bit surprised by the low target bitrate of the -V5 setting in the wiki, which is 130 kbps, I also ran a small test in order to check Lame 3.98.2 bitrates.

I chose 10 tracks from various styles. It was before finding this thread, and I got results very similar to yours, exept for a small difference for the -V2 setting.

Our results are indeed a bit different from what is given in the wiki.

CODE

    V6      V5      V4      V3      V2
1   110.4   120.4   142.9   156.8   170.7
2   114.9   131.5   150.9   164.4   181.1
3   112.5   124.6   154.8   174.3   192.2
4   124     136.6   162.5   177.2   191.6
5   121.8   138.6   156.6   171     184
6   135.8   151.5   167.4   181.5   201.4
7   129.8   143.4   160     174.9   210
8   129.5   143.4   157.2   171.4   239.6
9   127.4   141.1   155.2   169     200.5
10  125.5   139.1   152.4   166.2   229.8
-----------------------------------------------
Avg 123.16  137.02  155.99  170.67  200.09

The tracks are :

1 : Ashram - All'Imbruinire (Soft piano and voice)
2 : Grieg - Peer Gynt - I Dovregubbens Hall, Neeme Järvi (Classical, symphonic, extremely dynamic)
3 : Graduel d'Aliénor de Bretagne - Kyrie, Ensemble Organum (Classical, choir)
4 : Faun - Isis (folk)
5 : Princess Mononoke soundtrack - The Journey to the West (orchestral soundtrack)
6 : Kraftwerk - Trans Europ Express / Metal on Metal / Franz Shubert (electro pop, 1977)
7 : Madonna - Hung Up (mainstream pop, 2005)
8 : Nightwish - Whishmaster (metal)
9 : Talk Talk - Such a Shame (new wave pop, 1984)
10 : Within Temptation - What Have You Done (clipressed pop)