CD media question

[whizbang]

I’ve tried to search for an answer to this, but haven’t found it (or didn’t input the right search terms to come up with what I seek) so here goes:

When buying CD media, why spend more on “audio” CD media vs. data media when I can’t tell any difference in the audio quality? I know you can’t put data onto “audio” media, but what’s the real difference other than cost?

Just wondering…..

[reboot]

Nothing. And, YES, you can put data on audio media. Audio is "supposed" to be better quality for clearer playback, but unless you've got the worlds best ears, you won't be able to tell the difference.

[whizbang]

Hmmmmm... How can you have "clearer" 1's and 0's ? A digital value is absolute, how can it be made "clearer." Sounds like marketing B.S. designed to part the uninformed with a little more of their money. Sorta like "digital ready" speaker cables and snake oil.

[kbert777]

Answer is quite simply. Media is the same so you can record audio on regular data CDR's or audio CDR's. Quality will be the same, depending on the quality of the media.
But here is the catch! (Most) Standalone Audio CD recorders require an Audio CDR media in order to operate, there is a little bit extra encoding on the blank CDR identifying the Blank as Audio Blank. Furthermore there is a little royalty fee in the purchase price of an Audio CDR, which I think is collected by RIA to help those poor starving artists they represent.