What quality should I be downloading at?
 

I've been on a downloading spree recently and got 20+ albums.

But I've recently been wondering about what would be a good quality for be to be downloading these albums at? I've been trying to keep a steady rate of 192kbps (I downloaded 21 albums in this quality, so it wouldn't be too much work to re-download it), although I've also downloaded at 256 and even some at 320.

Depends on what quality your ears are.
Really, if it's okay for you, who cares.
I wouldn't want anything below 192kbps though.
What equipment do you use to play back your music?

Thanks. I'm not exactly an audiophile like some, but I just don't want to be complaining about my collection if I ever become one.

I just listen to music on my iPod. I don't really have any speakers (except for one, but those go through my entire house, and I don't want my mom to complain about my "weird" music).

Well as much as people are going to hate me for this: If you can live with an iPod, don't worry as long as you're using Mp3's of 192kbps and up.
Below that you might start hear the compression.
Why not try it out? Just see how low you can go before you get bothered by it and don't go any lower. I don't mind making a sample for you of the same song in some different bitrates.
I know most people can live with 128kbps and up.
It does depend on the encoder and on the music a bit.

I can't live with anything below 192kbps. That said, I still try to get everything at 256 VBR (what I rip my CDs at) or 320kbps.

To be completly honest, I'm fine with 192kbps and up. It's not that important to me.
When I really want to enjoy music I put on a record.
And to reproduce the sound of a record, an uncompressed 16 bit WAV won't even do.
So Mp3 is always a last resort for me or just because it's convenient for in my car or on my phone.

Thanks. I just wanted to save space on my hard drive, and for the files to be at least listenable. I can always buy an extra hard drive anyway.

If you are downloading for free then you shouldn't even ask this question and if you are paying then you should search the net for the original IMO and pay accordingly.

Care less... that's what I do.

I get whatever I can find, and that works for me because it's only to hear it once and decide if I want to purchase it and hear it again.