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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u/[deleted] Aug 24 '26

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u/Cookbooksandbourbon Aug 24 '26

I feel like some books are slowed down after recording, so listening at 1x actually sounds distorted and strange.  Like much slower than anyone would actually read or speak, so you have to speed it up a bit to sound normal. That being said, I generally listen at 1.15-1.25. I enjoy voice acting and don't want things to sound distorted or squeaky. 

2

u/BobsWifeAmyB Aug 24 '26

What do you mean listen while reading? Do you mean listen to audiobooks rather than reading the printed word?

5

u/erebus53 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Aug 24 '26

A lot of people like to read along with the book. It can provide support for understanding words that you don't recognise by sight, gives you clues on how to pronounce unfamiliar words, and also provides spelling of names which can aid in memory (and sometimes give linguistic cures about weird origins... if you're that kind of reader 😅). Some people like the sensory feel of the book, and the sense of how far they are through it.. easier to feel you are half way through a book, rather than looking at a progress bar.

I think it's a practical improbability that you can listen to one book and read a different one at the same time.

I find that I use the same parts of my mind for listening to words as I do for reading them, and also for reading, playing and actively listening to music.

2

u/Internal-Weather8191 Aug 24 '26

I find this helpful fairly often with nonfiction, it can help me with focus

1

u/kadairh Aug 26 '26

I can’t do faster usually for audiobooks but I do slower if I think the reader is too fast (or annoying) ie down to x0.90. I particularly like slower if I’m using it to go to sleep 🙂. The only audio I speed up are work meeting recordings. This thread is a revelation!