mp3 320kbps CBR or VBR?what s better? Options

[takeshibeat]

hi m new here
i have a hifi system marantz mcr 502 with speakers
on whom i listen to music via usb stick(mp3 320kbps cbr)
all of my music is in flac
i convert the music from flac to mp3 320kbps cbr with foobar2000
i wanted to ask is in my case better to convert the music to mp3 320 kbps cbr or 320kbps vbr?
what s the difference?
if its better to convert it to mp3 320 vbr, can you tell me a few softwares which are good for converting in mp3 320 vbr
is it possible that if i convert an album in mp3 320kbps vbr, that i will get a smaller bitrate than 320kbps??
that s why i thoguht its better to have 320 kbps cbr because thats always 320kbps the same, i thought that if i convert it in vbr 320kbps ,that i could get than a smaller bitrate like 256kbps or ....
and also i don t have in the foobar converting options(converter setup) the ability to convert my music in mp3 320kbps vbr
i just can download the music in mp3 320 cbr

This post has been edited by takeshibeat: Sep 30 2011, 11:52

[Typhoon859]

To answer your question simply, TECHNICALLY CBR would be better but VBR saves you even more space by only using your selected bitrate when necessary, rather than applying it all throughout, even when there is barely even any sound. Also, the difference in sound quality between the max 320 KB/s and V0 (which is at around 244 KB/s) will not be noticeable. I doubt there's anyone that would be able to hear the difference between the two regardless of the level of equipment unless there are strong measures in place to make that difference more distinguishable. In summary, there is no really perceivable difference between V0 and 320 CBR so I wouldn't even worry about it. Just use V0 in Foobar and it'll be perfect. As a matter of fact, it's difficult to tell the difference even between FLAC and MP3. I swear to you that if you hear it, it's placebo affect.

ABX testing, which you can do in Foobar2000, would prove me right. I am known to have extraordinary hearing and I've confirmed these results to myself. I was pretty bummed actually...

This post has been edited by db1989: Oct 6 2011, 10:28

Reason for edit: deleting unnecessary quote of first post