Audio Systems: 128 or 300 kbps?, watts rms, lame 128

Question
When I download from Emule, as you know, mst is 128kbps. But more and more some are 160, 190, 300 (aprox.!!) kbps? I doubt to download at 128 or 160 or 200 Kbps.But..it requires more of my not infinite HD capacity. It seems an increasing future tendency.¿Which is my aim? I hear the mp3,trough a very normal home HIFI/speakers (50 watts RMS/channel ). As a sound expert, what's your advise? THanks , my expert!

Answer
You are talking to a purest. I generally don't listen to anything less that wma lossless files. I only use MP3's in a pinch or when I have to send someone tracks. LAME, 128, 320kbs it's MP3 codec and I can hear the difference so if you want me to comment on the difference, in all honesty I would decline comment.

Having said that, and understanding what you are listening on, I would say that you would need to have my ears to really hear the difference between 128 and 320kbs, especially if you are listening to a lot newly recorded music. If on the other hand you are listening to Jazz or Classical you would have a better shot at hearing a difference. Keep the files smaller you'll probably be happier with more music at slightly less fidelity.