Quick Verdict
Use Speex when…
Don't use Speex. It's deprecated since 2012 in favor of Opus.
Use Opus when…
Use Opus for any new voice or audio work. WebRTC, Discord, Zoom, and most modern voice apps use Opus. It's free, efficient, and produces excellent quality.
Convert Speex and Opus files
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Speex vs Opus: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Speex | Opus |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2002 (deprecated 2012) | 2012 |
| Voice quality | Acceptable | Excellent |
| Music quality | Poor (voice-only) | Excellent (full range) |
| Bitrate range | 2.15–24.6 kbps | 6–510 kbps |
| Latency | 30–100ms | 5–60ms (configurable) |
| Modern usage | Legacy only | WebRTC, Discord, Zoom, YouTube |
When Speex wins
- ✓Year: 2002 (deprecated 2012)
- ✓Voice quality: Acceptable
- ✓Music quality: Poor (voice-only)
When Opus wins
- ✓Year: 2012
- ✓Voice quality: Excellent
- ✓Music quality: Excellent (full range)
Frequently asked questions
Should I migrate from Speex to Opus?
Yes — Opus is better at every bitrate, supports both voice and music, and has dramatically broader ecosystem support. The Speex project recommends migration to Opus.
How do I convert Speex (.spx) to Opus?
FFmpeg: `ffmpeg -i input.spx -c:a libopus -b:a 64k output.opus`. The bitrate target depends on content: voice = 32–64 kbps, music = 96–256 kbps.
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