
Again, to play this file type on both macOS and Windows, you can use a versatile M4A player such as Elmedia - it can open an extensive range of files. Using such a program, you can listen to your favorite tracks without plug-ins, convert the FLAC format to MP3, and even play damaged files. For example, if you use the ALAC audio codec for M4A, it will preserve all of the detail, while still keeping file sizes smaller. This means you can choose from several different audio codecs depending on your needs. M4A, another popular Apple file type, is usually coded with AAC, making it a lossy format. So, if you wish to play WMA on Mac, you need an all-around good player which supports the WMA file type. It is not so widely supported compared to MP3. Still, AAC actually offers better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate. Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) is an audio coding standard for lossy digital audio compression. It is definitely the most well-supported format, however, it provides lower sound quality than the lossless FLAC and ALAC. Of course, if you wish to play FLAC on Mac, there’s certainly a way - apps such as the Elmedia Player can do just that.

The only difference comes in terms of device compatibility: ALAC is an Apple-specific format which can be played by iTunes. The software, compatible with Windows XP and up (as well as Mac OS X Mavericks or.

These two formats are pretty much equal in terms of sound quality. dBPowerAmp (PC, Mac) For your audio file conversion needs, DBPowerAmp is among the best choices available.

FLAC, ALAC, AAC, M4A, WMA: What’s the Difference?įLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec), ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) are lossless formats, designed for high fidelity sound.
