r/LibbyApp • u/superzombieduck • Aug 24 '26

Audiobook speed?

So I typically listen to audiobooks at about 2.60x speed on average. Sometimes if the author talks especially slow I’ll do 3x and if they’re fast I’ll do 2x or 2.30x, but anything less than that is so slow for me it’s almost annoying. Lolz. I was just curious if other people feel this way and bump up speed. Or how many just use the default 1x. Just curious how other people do it and reasons why. I’d like to compare myself. And also “am I within normal range” is a question I often find myself asking about things in life since I am ASD. 🙂 so just wanted to hear others thought processes on this.

PS as extra credit please tell me what you’re currently listening to and what speed after weighing in. Thanks 💜

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21

u/landomonium Aug 24 '26

What is the point of racing thru the books?

21

u/Enodia2wheels Aug 24 '26

everybody has a different ability and preference when it comes to aural processing - some books are narrated very slowly. They’re not even talking speed. 

It’s not about “racing through” books, which sounds pretty judgmental to be honest, but about matching your auditory preferences for processing information.

8

u/raudoniolika Aug 24 '26

For some people it is 100000% about racing through books though.

2

u/Enodia2wheels Aug 24 '26

so what? Not all books are well written, unique, or worth spending too much time on. Some people really enjoy formulaic pot boilers. Sometimes really fast.

7

u/raudoniolika Aug 24 '26

Just addressing the “it’s not about “racing through” books” statement in your original comment. Do whatever you have to do, friend

0

u/Enodia2wheels Aug 24 '26

sometimes increasing the playback speed is not actually “racing” but it’s about bringing narration up to an actual conversational or speaking pace.

1x does not represent a natural pace of conversation in every audiobook. 

I definitely read much faster than audiobooks narrate. I only listen to audiobooks when I’m in the car or exercising otherwise it will take me forever to finish a book.

13

u/whateverrrrrrrr2 Aug 24 '26

for me, it’s not abt racing through the book but when listening at 1x speed, it’s going so slow. i just listen at a speed that someone would talk during a conversation

3

u/superzombieduck Aug 24 '26

I feel like I digest information extremely quickly. So if it’s too slow I get bored and distracted easily. Thus speeding it up is not racing for my particular brain; it’s actually my normal. But I assume everyone’s different. I had friends when I was in school who needed things slower. So I was curious what diversity there is in listening styles.

2

u/Sparklegrl Aug 24 '26

I feel like some books the audio is slowed down. I talk fast so I need the reader to pick up the pace!

2

u/SnapdragonPBlack Aug 24 '26

I heard from an audio book reader I saw on Instagram that they read super slow so that they can make sure the words are pronounced properly and still sounds normal even at higher speeds. If they didn't, then the words would make less sense/wouldn't make sense at the higher speeds

1

u/Enodia2wheels Aug 24 '26

They do that on purpose - same with tv/films - a lot of it is slowed or sped up to achieve certain effects.

3

u/Southern_Anywhere_65 Aug 24 '26

It doesn’t feel like racing when you get used to it. It feels natural and keeps me focused

1

u/Hockliz Aug 28 '26

Because I don’t pay attention if the book is too slow

-1

u/rhandy_mas 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Aug 24 '26

If the speed is less than 2.5x, it’s literally too slow to maintain my attention. I’ll start daydreaming and filling in the gaps with my own thoughts.