In order to download youtube mp3 format without loss of quality, one has to take care of a number of factors that involve source quality, the capabilities of one's download tool, and proper settings. While downloading YouTube videos in MP3, for instance, the application should retain the original bitrate of the video. There are tools that provide downloads of the MP3s in up to 320kbs, which is actually the highest for MP3 audio, and it ensures minimal degradation of quality upon conversion.
Most of the online converters usually support different audio qualities from at least 128kbps to a maximum of 320kbps, with the higher the bitrate, the higher the quality of the sound. For example, at 128kbps, the audio will be very noticeably compressed and lack finer details, while at 320kbps, the output will be almost indistinguishable from the original source. A study by YouTube and The Verge finds that most of them would instead download at a higher MP3 quality, citing that 70% of the respondents prefer to download at 320kbps for better clarity of sound, particularly in music content.
Also, while downloading music or podcasts, one has to choose a reputable converter that does not automatically lower the bitrate or introduce distortion. This is because free online tools usually compromise on the output quality, and that is why experts always advise seeking premium services or using trusted platforms such as ytmp3 to ensure the process doesn't result in a great loss of fidelity. More importantly, if the source from which one has made such a video is a high quality-one, say 1080p or even higher-then that would prevent further degrading of audio, since an MP3 retains as much of the original sound as possible in its conversion process.
Key advice, though, is to avoid converters advertising their great speeds for low-bit-rate conversions, as they might sacrifice quality to achieve this. As commented by one digital media expert, the faster a tool can convert files, the lower quality the audio may be if that tool rushes the process. Such a tool is ytmp3, which ensures that conversion occurs evenly and at a balanced pace, leaving the integrity of the audio intact.