Using data forsaken into .mp3 file

[FRex]

I was thinking of using some music that is in .mp3 file and using it in SFML but that requires freeing it from the patent prison of mp3 format which is where my question comes in:
What is the most resonable method of converting .mp3 into something useful for audio module while not making it weight a ton or lose a lot in terms of quality?

[Laurent]

Ogg/vorbis (.ogg) is similar to mp3, but free and supported by SFML.

Some will say that ogg/vorbis is even slightly better than mp3.

[FRex]

I know, why did you tell me that?
The thing is, almost all I found out when trying to search in google for way to turn mp3 into some free format is "don't convert to ogg or quality will be abysmal", often with people getting ridiculed for saying it won't be.
The .mp3s are quite high quality and I myself don't hear any slight change but I'm on a bit old setup with half broken cheap headphones and I use weird sound settings for myself so I can't just eyeball it like that.

[eXpl0it3r]

I know, why did you tell me that?

Well you didn't say that you already know something, so we assume you know nothing...

I don't really understand what you want... Are you looking for an application to convert audio files (e.g. Freemake Audio Converter) or are you looking for a lossless format (e.g. WAV, not sure if FLAC is supported) or do you want an equivalent to the MP3 (e.g. OGG as already mentioned and as you know alteady too)?
Give a specific question and you'll get a presiece answer.

Also the discussion about audio quality is quite controversal and you'll nearly always find both positions, so don't search for 'the truth', it doesn't exist and most of it is personal preferences.

[FRex]

Well you didn't say that you already know something, so we assume you know nothing...

I am looking for best practice in converting .mp3 to use them with SFML(I have music that is in .mp3, I won't get it in .ogg, .flac, .wav, .exploiter or any other cool free format).
For a try I converted it into .ogg and they're same size and (to my bad ear) almost same quality but apparently it's not the optimal way because what that does is take .mp3 which is lossy, decompress it on the fly and then compress it to .ogg vorbis which is lossy too.

[Laurent]

I don't understand your problem. Take a free audio converter, convert your mp3s to oggs, and that's it. I don't think that the quality loss is noticeable for normal people.  What does "apparently it's not optimal" mean? Do you have a real problem?

And mp3 is lossy, ogg is lossy, so yes the result is lossy. If you want a different result then use a different format. In any case, I don't think that the conversion process has anything to do with the result (as long as you don't use a crappy software), only the chosen format is relevant.

[FRex]

I don't think that the quality loss is noticeable for normal people.

Well ok then.

Do you have a real problem?

I used to but that was my mistake, now .ogg is optimal.

[NightCabbage]

If it helps, I use a program called "fre:ac".
When converting from mp3 to ogg, make sure you chose your bitrate settings carefully, and then simply listen to the music to make sure it's fine.