Music files are generally stored on computers as MP3 files. These files are compressed to reduce storage requirements. The bit rate of these files, which might be from 192kbs up to 320kbs and possibly even 640kbs will determines the size of the file and quality of the sound – the lower the rate the smaller the file and conversely the higher the bit rate the better the sound quality. Additionally there’s something called FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) which doesn’t compromise on sound however, FLAC isn’t as widely supported – and there are others such as Apple Lossless. Anyway I diverge from my point – or at least Trusted Reviews which came to the following conclusion

For most listening purposes, with most equipment and most ears, 320kbps MP3 is perfectly good enough. Sure, use FLAC for archiving purposes – it makes sense to have a lossless master of your CD on a server, NAS or PC in the house – but if you’re clogging up a portable player with FLACs or Apple Lossless files, then either a) you have superior ears, a headphone amplifier and seriously high-end headphones or b) you’re lacking in common sense.

Many of us simply couldn’t tell the difference between 192kbps and FLAC. There are caveats. A wider selection of music in our test might have thrown up more differences, and some ears and some headphones might reveal more obvious distinctions. That said, there’s no reason why you should turn your nose up at 192kbps or 256kbps files if you’re just looking for something to listen to in the car or on the daily commute. You’ll get more tracks on your player, and the sound quality will probably be good enough. Stuart Andrews, Trusted Reviews.

Personally I suspect that’s true for most of us when at home – how many of us have a perfectly positioned stereo in a perfect acoustic room – pretty well none of us – we sit to close to one speaker or the other, there’s a sofa in the way of one, or we sit too close or even too far away… You get the picture – there’s a lot of snobbery about music but I wouldn’t pay too much attention.