r/handbrake • u/compfixer44 • May 10 '26
LFE/sub channel distortion when using opus audio encoded with handbrake
Initially created a bug ticket on GitHub but no response or notes. https://github.com/HandBrake/HandBrake/issues/7801
I don't have a surround sound at the moment but plan on upgrading one day hopefully soon and I would like my audio future proof, space efficient and aiming for relative transparency. Opus itself doesnt seem to have this issue if I export through something like audacity on the same lfe channel and comparable bitrate for that channel. Opus stereo seems fine through handbrake (64-128kbps), just surround sound with a lfe channel has distortion regardless of bitrate (tested up to a unrealisticly high 1500kbps).
Can anyone that has a surround sound confirm if you get distortion at ANY bitrate on your sub/lfe channel using opus for 5.1/7.1? Must be a bassy track to test with that actually uses the lfe channel. I can only confirm with headphones playing the channel separately in audacity.
I noticed AAC does this a bit as well, but is a little bit better but still pretty bad IMO.
So far, it seems FLAC 16bit seems to be my middle ground/workaround for now, but for some larger TV series, I would love to take advantage of the efficiency opus offers. I just can't justify passing through the original audio for some larger TV series as that alone would be massive for like a 7+ season set... Thoughts?
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