Learn More » Vendors » Audible

Audible Review

screenshot

Number of Titles

Audible is our recommended supplier of digital audio books. They have the largest selection of digital audio books and other spoken word entertainment.

Prices

Audible's prices are consistently the most affordable. Their digital format involves fewer inventory costs, and they're passing the savings onto you. You also do not have to pay for shipping costs because digital audio books can be download directly to your computer. Audible also offers great savings to their regular listeners with their Membership Plans.

Membership Plans

Audible also offers big savings to its regular listeners through AudibleListener® Membership Plans. Members pay a monthly or annual fee and in exchange they get:

  • Credits: credits are like cash, and can be exchanged for audio books regardless of the original price of the title.
    one credit equals one audio book
  • Rollover credits: some credits can be rolled over to the next month or year. This allows you to listen at your own pace.
  • 30% off everything else: any purchases made without credits are 30% off the list price.
  • Free audio subscription to either The New York Times or the Wall Street Journal.

Audible's simple cancellation policy means that you can cancel at any time.

Sound Quality

Audible's digital audio books have the highest sound quality available for digital audio books, called Enhanced Audio. This is a file format that has sound quality that rivals that of a professionally mastered CD. They also offer three lower quality file formats for faster download times and smaller file formats.

Compatible Devices

Audible's digital audio books gives you the flexibility of choosing your listening device. You can download your audio books directly to your home computer. From there you can transfer them to your portable listening device, such as an iPod or MP3 player, or burn them to CD. You can even download Audible audio books directly to your smartphone with the respective Audible application.

Rating:

Customer Service

Audible's customer service is here to help. They're fast, friendly, and available six days a week by phone. If you don't want to talk to someone over the phone, you can contact Audible by email, or browse their database of answered questions.

  • USA & Canada: 888-283-5051
  • International: 973-820-0400
Day Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 10pm EST
Saturday 10am - 7pm EST

Technical Information

Available Formats

Audible audio books are available in .aa and .aax format. This is a digital file format that allows you to download audio books directly to your computer or smartphone.

Audible offers four different file formats of varying size and sound quality. Their highest quality file format, Enhanced Audio, has sound quality similar to a professionally mastered CD.

Audible Digital Audio Book Format 2 3 4 e - Audible Enhanced Audio
Sound Quality is similar to AM FM MP3 CD
File size for 1 hr of audio 3.7MB 7.2MB 14.4MB 28.8MB
Download time per hour (high speed connection) 20 sec 40 sec 1m 19s 2m 37s
Download time per hour (56K modem) 9 min 17 mins 35 mins 1h 9min

Compatible Devices

Audible audio books are compatible with over 500 devices, including:

  • Computers: Windows and Macintosh.
  • iPods by Apple.
  • MP3 players from Microsoft, RCA, Samsung and more.
  • Kindle by Amazon.
  • Smartphones: iPhone, Android or BlackBerry.
  • Mobile Phones from AT&T, Nokia, Samsung, Sony, Telus, T-Mobile, Verizon and more.
  • GPS by Garmin and Tom Tom.

Visit Audible's Device Center for a complete list of devices compatible with Audible audio books.

Software Requirements

You may require additional software to download and listen to your digital audio book, but this will depend on your intended listening device.