CDkvalitet

CDkvalitet, or "CD quality," refers to the audio quality traditionally associated with Compact Disc Digital Audio (CD-DA). Introduced with the CD format in the early 1980s, CDkvalitet denotes uncompressed PCM audio with a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz and a 16-bit depth, delivered in stereo. This configuration yields a raw data rate of about 1.411 Mbps.

Technical characteristics include 44.1 kHz sampling, 16-bit depth, stereo encoding, and a typical frequency response of approximately 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The theoretical dynamic range is about 96 dB, with very low total harmonic distortion. CD players employ Cross-Interleaved Reed-Solomon coding (CIRC) for error detection and correction during playback.

Usage and context: The term is used as a benchmark for digital audio fidelity in music distribution and some streaming services market their offerings as "CD quality." In practice, many services now offer higher-resolution formats, or use lossy codecs that can be marketed differently. CDkvalitet serves as a historical baseline and a reference point for comparing newer formats and mastering practices.

Perception and limitations: Whether listening to CDkvalitet is perceptibly better depends on equipment, listening environment, and recording/mastering. The audible difference between CD quality and certain high-bitrate lossy formats is debated among listeners and audio engineers. CD quality remains a common reference point in consumer audio discussions and in the design of digital audio systems.