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When done correctly, MP3s don't have to lose any noticeable quality in compression. MP3s are here to stay, and they couldn't get much better.

High quality music is available cheaply on CDs. Why muck about with a low quality option.

Why doesn't Stereophile stick to high fidelity and not waste your readers' time on trash? Are you trying to compete with the PC magazines? You sure are going to lose readers looking for information on high fidelity.

I have checked it out on various systems and various levels of "quality." From what I have heard thus far, to even call it "high fidelity" is a travesty. It even makes CDs sound good. I truly HATED the way it sounded. Kind of like first-generation MiniDisc compression. I can't wait for something better to come around.

Quaint as it seems to have become, I actually prefer to sit and "actively" listen to music. Music is not something that I take lightly, and certainly not as a background "filler" or as an accessory to working on my computer. On the other hand, my son, who has to have music as an adjunct to anything he does, downloads MP3s constantly and plays them on his iMac whenever he's working. I must add that it sounds a little better than a car radio . . . but not by much.

Tried it as background sound on my computer system. Compressed my own CD's. Works fine for that purpose. Tried creating a test CD from the MP3 files, bad,bad,bad..... But on the computer, who cares, its music for working to.

The MP3 files are music to only the geek's ear. They may be fine for bringing in AM-radio-quality sound to one's computer, but for serious listening? Please. Still, like putting sunglasses on a blind dog, your average computerphile does not know better, nor does he care. Let 'em have 'em.

It's just as easy to borrow a friend's CD and make a copy on my computer's recorder. Takes less time too.

I use it to store old time radio shows that have long since become public domain!

Audiophile are correct about the sound quality, musically some is lost and reduced detail. But is excellent format for storage.

I have used it on my computer speakers JBL and like it as background.

off course, it sometimes sounds really bad but with a rather high rate it's ok. For internet, it's good enough. vqf is a lot better though.

the sound quality is terrible in both the format and the fact that no sound card can match a decent cd player, plus it just seems wrong to connect the computer to an audiophile stereo

It's nice to have music in the background when I'm on the computer (12 hours) a day. I do NOT use it for serious listening.

I work for my cash and don't steal from people who work for theirs. You can rationalize stealing music but can never justify it!

Who cares about MP3?? I'm waiting for 32/192 to come, to finally put my turntable away . . .

Why would anyone with a half-decent hi-fi system be interested in MP3? But then, I suppose not everyone has a full hi-fi system in their office...

It is better than realaudio.

Sound quality is not very good, even at 320kpbs. It's easy to verify---just compare it to the CD you've ripped it from!

I use it onlywith my pc when my concentration is on my work and not on the sound from the speaker.

Makes no sense to me. Musicians and composers need and deserve our support. Evaluating their work in any way other than the best possible presentation is not appropriate.

Poor quality!! Enough said. When computers get better sound and download faster, then I will really care and use them as a means to select music to buy.

Yes, I do play CDs on my computer while using it for any number of mundane and/or productive activities. However, I have no interest in MP3; i.e., low-grade audio that's supposed to be exciting because it's generally fun to download stuff from the Internet. When I want to listen to music for solace or big-time fun, I head for the sweet spot in front of my obsolete but respectable hi-fi.

Lossy compression ala the Sony Minidisc... Gee, isn't there a reason we don't use cassette tape anymore?

It's not a bad preview if you want to buy the disk.

The sound quality is so poor that I find it hard to believe that MP3 would be satisfying to anyone

MP3 is the easiest format to transfer from computer to computer, so I do use it, but only because I have to. How good can it sound on these sound cards anyway?