Whether CDs have better audio quality depends on a few factors, including the type of CD player you are using, the quality of the CD recording, and your own hearing.
CD audio quality
CD audio is 16 bit at 44.1 kHz. This means that each sample of audio is represented by a 16-bit number, which can represent 65,536 different values. The audio is sampled 44,100 times per second, which is high enough to capture all of the frequencies that humans can hear.
This level of resolution is generally considered to be very good, and it is the standard for most commercial music recordings. However, there are some higher-resolution audio formats available, such as DVD-Audio and Blu-ray Audio.
CD player quality
The quality of your CD player can also make a big difference in the sound quality of CDs. Higher-end CD players have better DACs (digital-to-analog converters), which are responsible for converting the digital audio signal on the CD to an analog signal that can be played through your speakers or headphones.
If you have a high-quality CD player, you may be able to hear a difference between CDs and other audio formats, such as MP3s and streaming audio. However, if you have a basic CD player, then you are unlikely to notice a difference.
Hearing
Finally, your own hearing can also play a role in how you perceive the sound quality of CDs. Some people may be more sensitive to the difference between different audio formats than others.
If you have good hearing, then you may be able to hear a difference between CDs and other audio formats. However, if you have hearing loss, then you are unlikely to notice a difference.
So, do CDs have better audio quality? It depends on the factors mentioned above. If you have a high-quality CD player and good hearing, then you may be able to hear a difference between CDs and other audio formats, such as MP3s and streaming audio. However, for most people, the difference in sound quality is likely to be imperceptible.
If you are unsure whether or not CDs are worth it for you, then I recommend trying them out and seeing if you can hear a difference. If you can’t hear a difference, then there is no point in paying extra for CDs.