Convert Higher Bit Rate Songs and Clarity

Sleddinbug wrote:

If 256kbps is better; Why is there still a option for 128kbps and 192kbps? Is 256kbps the max you can get?

1. Some users may want a lower bit rate in order to save storage space
2. Some users may not be able to hear the difference between the lower and higher bit rates
3. The source material may not justify the use of 256Kbps. For example, speech can be (and is) recorded at a lower bit rate without significant loss of quality. Speech is often recorded be at lower bit rates than 128Kbps

What is the best way to listen to music inside a car? I believe it may be CD or AUX over Bluetooth.

That's up to you to decide. You could try doing some listening tests with the various methods.

Purists will probably tell you that any digital audio file, even at 256Kbps is lower quality than a professionally produced CD, so on the face of it, CD is the best quality. However, if you're listening in a car, even if you're not the driver (who is concentrating on the driving, while the music is an additional fun thing), there's a lot of background noise, which means that your listening environment is compromised.

The obvious advantage of having your music on an iPod is that you can take more of it with you in the car (without a huge box of CDs to cart around). So looking at it that way, having an iPod is better than using CDs

That brings us to the question of AUX or Bluetooth. Previously, I used a phone on Bluetooth while my iPod used an AUX cable (since I could only have one Bluetooth connection at a time). Now, all my music is on my phone, so I use Bluetooth rather than an AUX cable. No mucking about with cable connections: I just get in the car, with my phone in my pocket or bag, start the car's engine and let the car find the phone and it starts the music from where it last left off. And the player stops when I turn the engine off. How easy is that?

Quality of the Bluetooth over the AUX (I hear you ask)? I'm driving, in a noisy environment. I personally can't appreciate any audio difference between AUX and Bluetooth, but I can appreciate the convenience of Bluetooth.

One more point; changing a CD while driving is not possible (or at least, not anywhere in Europe), whereas changing albums (or tracks) on an iPod is very easy if using Bluetooth and a modern car's steering wheel controls.

But I must stress, it's your choice. No one here (or anywhere else) can decide for you which method you prefer. Just drive safely.

Hello, Sleddinbug. Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! You are in the right place to get help with managing your music library. 

We understand that you have some questions regarding the difference in bit rate and audio quality with different music formats. We’re happy to help you with this and provide you with information that can explain more. 

Generally speaking, the higher the bit rate of a audio file, the higher the audio quality will be. A higher bit rate will also mean that the audio file size will be larger. The following Apple Support article contains more information about the differences in bit rate: 

Choose import settings in Music on Mac - Apple Support

If you have an iPod Touch, you can find more information about the options to connect with your car system in this last article: 

How to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your car - Apple Support

We hope that this answer helps you. Please reply back if you have any other questions. 

Cheers!