What format is often used for high-quality audio compression?

MP3 is a popular format for high-quality audio compression. It employs lossy compression, which means that some audio data is discarded to reduce file size while attempting to maintain sound quality that is acceptable for most users. This format became widely adopted due to its balance between file size and audio fidelity, making it suitable for music downloads and streaming.

The use of MP3 is particularly significant in situations where storage space is a consideration, such as on portable devices. Its widespread compatibility with various hardware and software players makes it an industry standard for compressed audio formats.

While other formats such as WAV and FLAC provide high audio quality, they are generally larger in file size due to their lossless nature. WAV is often used in professional settings for uncompressed audio, and FLAC is favored for its lossless compression that retains all the original audio data, but it doesn't achieve the same level of compression efficiency as MP3. AAC also offers good audio quality and is more efficient than MP3, but MP3 remains the most recognized and universally accepted compressed audio format.