Um…. did the encoding on iTunes tracks go downhill?

So, I am often typing away whilst listening to tracks I’ve downloaded on iTunes (yes, I’m happy to pay for them!). Most recently, I have had some closed-ear headphones (”cans”) plugged in to my PC, rather than perambulating around with a mobile device – and I think I’ve noticed something different, odd, and not good!

Previously I have had the iTunes tracks at a high volume in headphones, and listened closely – no track distortion. But recently I’ve started hearing ‘encoding artefacts’ poppping up. Now I don’t think Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) have changed their encoding bitrates, but, these artefacts can be introduced with something as trivial as encoder hardware/software change-out.

What do we mean by artefacts? well it could be that cymbals suddenly appear warped (instead of clear), or that the overall track seems compacted. Alternatively, the vocals could be unduly hissy. All of these aesthetic audio issues signify where the encoding process has thrown away data needed to faithfully represent the audio quality.

Of course, ‘quality is in the ear of the beholder’ so to speak, but I wonder whether other IntoMobile readers have noticed the same thing? I gotta say it’s somewhat ruining my experience of late. Given I spent nearly two years working for a Mobile Operator on audio and video encoding, I know my stuff, and I say the quality is different than even 12 months ago…. what say you? Am I going mad? Didn’t things used to be better?