Which is smaller - .wav or mp3?

[looneytoone]

Wanna download as many songs as possible. Don't care about quality (much). Is an Mp3 smaller than .wav file of the exact same song? Can you recommend freeware that converts .wav to mp3 or other suggested music type?

[stitics]

mp3 is smaller (in my experience, approx 1/10th the size), and I believe WMP can convert it for you.

[Robb Bates]

True MP3s are smaller than WAV files, but for WMA files are smaller than MP3s for about the same quality. Please no one start a flame war about which format is better than the next.

I have all of my audio files as MP3s right now, but only for compatibility sake. MP3s are probably the most universally accepted format. But I do like the quality of WMPs in half the file size.

If you want to pack as much music into the smallest space and you're not an audiophile, then I would suggest 32kbps or 48kbps WMP format. That will give you decent cassette tape like music quality at a very small size.

Robb

[maximus]

and lets not forget about oggs .. which are usually 30%-40% smaller than mp3s (at the same audio quality).