I listen at high speeds because it forces my brain to focus, preventing it from drifting. The speed I choose depends on several factors. On my iPad Mini with built-in speakers, I keep the default at 1.5x, but if the recording is clear enough, I can hold down for 2x.
High-quality headphones make a huge difference. Nothing beats my old uncompressed-audio Sennheisers, but my Sony XM4s come very close. With good headphones, I can comfortably listen to audiobooks at 2.5x to 3.5x, depending on the material, the narrator’s clarity, recording quality, and compression level.
Each app handles speed differently. Audible is the worst - it simply chops out sections of audio, making 3.5x nearly unlistenable. Overcast on iOS is the best, as it removes dead space between words while maintaining clarity. Overcast maxes out at 3x, but with dead space removal, it gets close to 4x. Audible, on the other hand, is a mess at high speeds - choppy and unpleasant.
Speed listening is a skill, and I’ve introduced many people to it. Friends who hated it at first now can’t stand listening at normal speed. The faster it is, the more you focus, and the less you miss.
Reading is another story - I lose focus and can take five minutes to get through a single page, while in that same time, I could have listened to half a chapter.
I re-listen to most books, and for ones that matter most, like the Gospels, I’ve gone through them hundreds of times. I can finish the entire Bible in a week without any problem. As a Bible scholar, that gives me a unique edge.
If you’re new to speed listening, start at 1.5x and gradually increase as you adjust. Better headphones make a huge difference. The Sony XM4s with noise cancellation should get you to 3x comfortably. For the absolute fastest and clearest experience, download from Audible at the highest quality, import into Overcast, and play at 3x with dead space removal and voice boost turned on.
