FLAC vs SHN
A detailed comparison of FLAC Audio and Shorten Audio — file size, quality, compatibility, and which format to choose for your workflow.
FLAC Audio
Audio FilesFLAC is an open-source lossless audio codec that compresses audio to roughly 50-60% of its original size without any quality loss. It is the preferred format for audiophiles and music archival.
About FLAC filesShorten Audio
Audio FilesShorten (SHN) is one of the earliest lossless audio compression formats, developed by Tony Robinson. It was widely used in the live music trading community for sharing concert recordings before FLAC became the dominant lossless format.
About SHN filesStrengths Comparison
FLAC Strengths
- Lossless — decoded audio is bit-exact identical to the source.
- 40-60% smaller than uncompressed WAV/AIFF.
- Free, patent-free, open-source reference implementation.
- Built-in error detection via MD5 checksums.
- Streaming-friendly — seek tables let you jump to any timestamp instantly.
SHN Strengths
- Lossless.
- Historical artifact of 1990s music trading.
- Modern decoder availability.
Limitations
FLAC Limitations
- File sizes still large compared to lossy codecs (5-10× bigger than AAC for same audio).
- Not suitable for low-bandwidth scenarios like streaming on mobile data.
- Older MP3 players and car stereos may not decode FLAC.
- Slower to encode than lossy codecs.
SHN Limitations
- Historically royalty-encumbered.
- Obsolete for new recordings.
- FLAC offers better compression.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | FLAC | SHN |
|---|---|---|
| MIME type | audio/flac | audio/x-shorten |
| Extension | .flac | .shn |
| Standard | Open-source reference implementation (Xiph.Org) | — |
| Max bit depth | 32 bits per sample | — |
| Max sample rate | 655 350 Hz | — |
| Max channels | 8 | — |
| Algorithm | — | Linear prediction + Rice coding |
| Successor | — | FLAC |
Typical File Sizes
FLAC
- 3-min song (CD quality) 20-30 MB
- Full album (10 tracks, CD) 250-400 MB
- 3-min song (hi-res 24-bit/96 kHz) 80-120 MB
- Live concert recording (24-bit) 2-10 GB
SHN
- Full concert recording 300-500 MB
Ready to convert?
Convert between FLAC and SHN online, free, and without installing anything. Encrypted upload, automatic deletion after 60 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an open-source audio format that compresses audio without any quality loss. Developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation, it typically reduces file sizes by 40-50% compared to WAV while preserving bit-perfect audio.
FLAC (Free sem perdas Audio codec) is an open-source audio formato that compresses audio sem any quality loss. Developed pelo Xiph.Org Foundation, it tipicamente reduces tamanho do arquivos by 40-50% comparado a WAV while preserving bit-perfect audio.
FLAC files play in VLC, foobar2000, Winamp, and most modern music players. Streaming services like Tidal and Amazon Music HD use FLAC. Android supports it natively, and Apple devices support it via third-party apps.
FLAC arquivos reproduzir in VLC, foobar2000, Winamp, e most moderno music players. Streaming services like Tidal e Amazon Music HD usar FLAC. Android suporta it natively, e Apple devices support it via third-party apps.
Both are lossless with similar compression ratios. Use FLAC for universal compatibility and open-source support. Use ALAC if you are fully invested in the Apple ecosystem since iTunes and Apple Music handle ALAC natively.
Both are sem perdas com similar compressão ratios. usar FLAC para universal compatibilidade e open-source support. usar ALAC if you are fully invested no Apple ecosystem since iTunes e Apple Music handle ALAC natively.