Audible vs Chirp

leebase · 08-24-2019, 03:29 PM

I just bought my first 2 audio books from Chirp. I’ve been an audible listener since the service came out (anyone remember the book playing device you used to get for free with the service?).

I’ve only listened to the samples...but the Chirp books appear to be of good quality. I’ve enjoyed all my audible books except 1....as far as production values (can’t blame audible if I just didn’t like a book).

My audible books are $15 as I typically stick to the credits from my monthly membership (which I just recently canceled). The chip books were $1 and $5.

The Chirp books are from regular major publishing houses.

Any audible fan tried Chirp? How have you found the quality?

fjtorres · 08-24-2019, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leebase

I just bought my first 2 audio books from Chirp. I’ve been an audible listener since the service came out (anyone remember the book playing device you used to get for free with the service?).

I’ve only listened to the samples...but the Chirp books appear to be of good quality. I’ve enjoyed all my audible books except 1....as far as production values (can’t blame audible if I just didn’t like a book).

My audible books are $15 as I typically stick to the credits from my monthly membership (which I just recently canceled). The chip books were $1 and $5.

The Chirp books are from regular major publishing houses.

Any audible fan tried Chirp? How have you found the quality?

The prices are...curious...any catch?
Just curious.
Is that their full regular price?

Dr. Drib · 08-24-2019, 04:37 PM

I just checked and SOME Chirp books are higher than $5.00

Dr. Drib · 08-24-2019, 04:47 PM

Here you go. I see one title from one of my favorite authors, and with an extreme discount.
It appears to be owned by BookBub.

fjtorres · 08-24-2019, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Here you go. I see one title from one of my favorite authors, and with an extreme discount.
It appears to be owned by BookBub.

Ah.
So it's 10% off list for non-sale regular titles.

pwalker8 · 08-24-2019, 05:15 PM

What's the rational to use them rather than audible?

Dr. Drib · 08-24-2019, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwalker8

What's the rational to use them rather than audible?

One example is that one of volumes of Jules de Grandin's weird tales book (The Complete Tales of Jules de Grandin) is only $1.99

At Audible (Amazon) it's priced at $38.49, OR it is free with an Audible Trial.

I'm sure there are a few other cases.

fjtorres · 08-24-2019, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

One example is that one of volumes of Jules de Grandin's weird tales book (The Complete Tales of Jules de Grandin) is only $1.99

At Audible (Amazon) it's priced at $38.49, OR it is free with an Audible Trial.

I'm sure there are a few other cases.

What format are the files in? DRM'ed or not?
Audible format is mostly proprietary and DRM'ed.
It might be worth trolling them just for the titles on sale.

Dr. Drib · 08-24-2019, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

What format are the files in? DRM'ed or not?
Audible format is mostly proprietary and DRM'ed.
It might be worth trolling them just for the titles on sale.

I don't know, as I haven't yet actually bought anything from them. I've only been doing research on the site.

fjtorres · 08-24-2019, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I don't know, as I haven't yet actually bought anything from them. I've only been doing research on the site.

No problem.
I was just being lazy.

Details are readily available:

https://www.wonderoftech.com/chirp-audiobooks/

Chirp is a subsidiary of Bookbub and their bread and butter is promo titles.
Their catalog is apparently limited to what is *temporarily* listed.

They only report file playability via their phone or tablet apps or a PC/MAC browser.

https://www.chirpbooks.com/how_to_listen

Almost certainly not mp3, or DRM-free.
They might be applocked.

Worth it for the deep discount promos, I suppose.

tubemonkey · 08-24-2019, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leebase

Any audible fan tried Chirp? How have you found the quality?

tch65721 first reported about Chirp last Sep in the Audiobook Deals forum and it fell under the radar until this past May when it was brought up again by Carmelreader. Since then, GtrsRGr8 has posted more details and numerous deals for Chirp.

tubemonkey · 08-24-2019, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

What format are the files in? DRM'ed or not?
Audible format is mostly proprietary and DRM'ed.
It might be worth trolling them just for the titles on sale.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

They only report file playability via their phone or tablet apps or a PC/MAC browser.

https://www.chirpbooks.com/how_to_listen

Almost certainly not mp3, or DRM-free.
They might be applocked.

Worth it for the deep discount promos, I suppose.

Can I listen to a book without a network connection? How can I download a book to listen offline?

Quote:

You can listen to your audiobook purchases offline using the Chirp app.

To download an audiobook to listen without an internet connection, first select the book under “All Books”, and then tap the download icon. Then, simply wait for the download to finish, and the book should appear under the “Downloaded” tab in the app.

Right now, it isn’t possible to listen offline if you’re streaming audiobooks from our website on a Mac, PC, or other device.

Tarana · 08-24-2019, 09:37 PM

I have an older Itouch and the app wouldn't load, so I borrowed my brother's newer Itouch. I bought a book for $2. Sounds good (I've only listened to a couple of chapters). However, unless I can archive anything I buy, it certainly won't replace Audible even at those prices. The book I bought isn't one that I would likely listen to twice, so worthy of experimentation. They have a fair number of books from 99c to $1.99, so worth trying out. Currently limited to app only play.

leebase · 08-25-2019, 12:51 AM

It’s certainly a deal site with a small handful of books at any given time. It’s not a direct competitor to Audible. However, it appears to me that these are legit high quality books. Books sold at a great deal.

Now...I’d be wary of long term viability. I trust Audible won’t go away, but I’d hate to have a large library of Chirp books only to lose access to them.

leebase · 08-25-2019, 12:56 AM

FYI - I bought Rebel Yell, a book about stonewall Jackson. $4.99

It’s the same book, read by the same narrator as on Audible where it’s $40 or $15 with membership.

Pretty good deal, same book.

08-24-2019, 03:29 PM	#1
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,934 Karma: 26616647 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Audible vs Chirp I just bought my first 2 audio books from Chirp. I’ve been an audible listener since the service came out (anyone remember the book playing device you used to get for free with the service?). I’ve only listened to the samples...but the Chirp books appear to be of good quality. I’ve enjoyed all my audible books except 1....as far as production values (can’t blame audible if I just didn’t like a book). My audible books are $15 as I typically stick to the credits from my monthly membership (which I just recently canceled). The chip books were $1 and $5. The Chirp books are from regular major publishing houses. Any audible fan tried Chirp? How have you found the quality?

08-24-2019, 04:47 PM	#4
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Here you go. I see one title from one of my favorite authors, and with an extreme discount. It appears to be owned by BookBub. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Dr. Drib; 08-24-2019 at 04:49 PM.

08-24-2019, 09:37 PM	#13
Tarana Wizard Posts: 3,978 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I have an older Itouch and the app wouldn't load, so I borrowed my brother's newer Itouch. I bought a book for $2. Sounds good (I've only listened to a couple of chapters). However, unless I can archive anything I buy, it certainly won't replace Audible even at those prices. The book I bought isn't one that I would likely listen to twice, so worthy of experimentation. They have a fair number of books from 99c to $1.99, so worth trying out. Currently limited to app only play. Last edited by Tarana; 08-24-2019 at 10:08 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Audible escape, download audible aaxc file instead of aax	Iris-maybe	Audiobook Hardware & Software	15	09-11-2020 03:30 AM
unificate Audible content from multiple amazon/audible accounts	jbocuh	Audiobook Hardware & Software	3	12-27-2018 04:29 PM
Troubleshooting No more audible.	Eekology	Amazon Kindle	3	06-07-2012 04:29 PM
Content Non-Audible Audiobooks on Kindle's Audible Player	Bioran23	Amazon Kindle	9	05-03-2012 01:48 AM
Audible.com	sakura-panda	Lounge	3	03-22-2011 03:42 PM

08-24-2019, 04:37 PM	#3
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,743 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	I just checked and SOME Chirp books are higher than $5.00

08-24-2019, 05:15 PM	#6
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,195 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	What's the rational to use them rather than audible?

08-25-2019, 12:51 AM	#14
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,934 Karma: 26616647 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	It’s certainly a deal site with a small handful of books at any given time. It’s not a direct competitor to Audible. However, it appears to me that these are legit high quality books. Books sold at a great deal. Now...I’d be wary of long term viability. I trust Audible won’t go away, but I’d hate to have a large library of Chirp books only to lose access to them.

08-25-2019, 12:56 AM	#15
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,934 Karma: 26616647 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	FYI - I bought Rebel Yell, a book about stonewall Jackson. $4.99 It’s the same book, read by the same narrator as on Audible where it’s $40 or $15 with membership. Pretty good deal, same book.

Advert

Advert