

Using the iPod Classic reminded me of the versatility of the device. I also tested several of the free Audible books available in the Channels section of the Audible app. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, read by the author, and Audible’s Damned Spot podcast via the app. Higher-quality files sound better but take up more room, so if you’re streaming, you may want to set your audio quality to the lowest setting to save your data.ĭuring my week with Audible, I listened to Robert M. Audible’s app lets users select if they want a high-quality or a low-quality stream of their book in the settings menu. From a sonic perspective, the audio quality is largely up to you. Even if the book is awful, a talented narrator can often save it. Thankfully, the vast majority of audiobooks feature talented narrators doing carefully thought-out performances. You don’t need a smartphone to enjoy your Audible books, though you will be missing out on some features without it.Īudiobooks are like any medium the quality of your product depends on who made it. However, whether you’re using an iPod or a smart device, your Audible files will play perfectly. The iPhone, using Audible’s app, provided the better user experience. We tested Audible files on two devices: the iPhone SE and a 120GB iPod Classic. If you’re flush with data thanks to an unlimited plan, you can also stream your content via its app. The company makes it easy to download files directly to your computer or onto your smartphone for later listening. Using Audible is a breeze, whether you listen to books on your desktop, an MP3 player, or via the Audible app. Screengrab via Audible Is Audible worth it? There are other options, though. Audible’s Platinum membership, for example, runs $22.95 a month but doubles your monthly credits. The default subscription for Audible (the one that you roll into automatically after your trial ends) is $14.95 per month, which comes with one credit per month (one credit equals one free download). Users are granted credits for free downloads on a monthly or annual basis, depending on their subscription, and additional titles are available at a steep discount from normal audiobook prices.

Each subscription also comes with a daily audio version of either the New York Times or Wall Street Journal. Owned by Amazon, Audible sell books by major publishers, but it also offers a deep catalog of podcasts, romance authors, and a budding list of exclusive series.

What is Audible?Īudible is the largest audiobooks seller in the world. I recently used Audible for a week, listening to one free book and in addition to some of the service’s original content to decide if you should sign up. Is Audible worth it? Even with one free credit and a 30-day trial, it’s normal to have some questions before pulling the trigger on a monthly or annual membership.
