A lot of Audible.com users are looking for a way to convert the Audible files (.aa or .aax) to .mp3.
Sure, why not! AA or AAX file format is an audio format applied to Audible. The files with the formats come with a Digital Rights Management (DRM). Even you bought it but you can’t play it everywhere as you want.
So, how to get rid of such limitation? Basically, you just need AA/AAX to MP3 convert software to done the task. Here I made a review on top 5 DRM converter tools that can do the job for you. So you don’t have to test them one by one, just pick up the best one.
Aimersoft DRM Media Converter
Rating: 
(4 / 5)
This is the most powerful DRM converter software. Besides removing DRM from AA/AAX. It is possible to legally get around digital copyright protection from M4V, WMV and ASF video downloaded or bought from iTunes, Windows Media Centre, Zune Marketplace, BBC iPlayer, Xbox Live Store, Amazon Instant Video and any restricted content. After converting, you could enjoy your music and video anyplace you want.
It’s the most easy-to-use software to convert any DRM protected audio and video file to common MP3 and MP4. Just import what files that you want to convert and then click the converter button. That it, all .aa or .aax files will be converted to MP3 or WMA.
Supported OS: Windows and Mac
[tabs tab1=”Input formats” tab2=”Output formats” tab3=”Output devices”] [tab id=1] [table color=”blue”]
| Protected video | Protected audio | Common video | Common audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4V, WMV, ASF | WMA, M4P, M4B, AA, AAX | Video MOV, M4V, MP4, WMV, ASF, MKV, AVI, Xvid, DV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB, TS, TRP, HD AVI, HD MP4, HD MPG, HD WMV, HD MOV, FLV, F4V, SWF Audio MP3, M4A, AC3, AAC, WMA, WAV, OGG, APE, MKA, AU, AIFF, FLAC, M4R | Video MOV, M4V, MP4, WMV, ASF, MKV, AVI, Xvid, DV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB, TS, TRP, HD AVI, HD MP4, HD MPG, HD WMV, HD MOV, FLV, F4V, SWF Audio MP3, M4A, AC3, AAC, WMA, WAV, OGG, APE, MKA, AU, AIFF, FLAC, M4R |
[/table] [/tab] [tab id=2] [table color=”blue”]
| Video | Audio |
|---|---|
| MOV, M4V, MP4, WMV, ASF, MKV, AVI, Xvid, DV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB, TS, TRP, HD AVI, HD MP4, HD MPG, HD WMV, HD MOV, FLV, F4V, SWF | MP3, M4A, AC3, AAC, WMA, WAV, OGG, APE, MKA, AU, AIFF, FLAC, M4R |
[/table] [/tab] [tab id=3] [table color=”blue”]
| Devices |
|---|
| iPhone (iPhone 5), iPad (iPad mini), iPod (iPod touch 5), Apple TV, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, LG, BlackBerry, Samsung (Samsung Galaxy III), Sony, Xbox 360, PSP, PS3, Wii, NDS, Zune, Archos, Creative Zen, iRiver and more |
[/table] [/tab] [/tabs]
[youtube width=”600″ height=”350″ video_id=”CSVe52KsV4I”]
Rating: 
(3.5 / 5)
A real-time digital audio recorder that records any audio source that’s automatically detected on your computer. When you use this software to record Audible content, it will detect when the file starts to play and when it is finished, just play Audible books. The software will record it automatically and save them as mp3 files separately(Chapters).
Supported OS: Windows and Mac
[table color=”blue”]
| Supported Output Format and settings |
|---|
| Formats: MP3-MPEF Layer-3 Audio (*.mp3), M4A-MPEG-4 Audio (*.m4a) |
| Sample Rate: 22050Hz, 32000Hz, 44100Hz, 4800Hz |
| Encoder: .mp3:(MP3), .m4a:(AAC) |
| Bit Rate: 64 kbps, 96kbps, 128kbps, 192kbps, 256kbps |
[/table]
Before you start to use this software, there is background knowledge that you should know. You can’t convert .aa or .aax file directly with some format convert software since the file is protected. So you need to either record the Audible content as MP3 file.
GoldWave
Rating: 
(3 / 5)
GoldWave is an old recording software. It’s really a highly rated, pro digital audio editor. It is fully packed to do everything from the easiest recording and editing to the most advanced audio processing, restoration, enhancements, and conversions. However, you need to record Audible content manually.
Supported OS: Windows PC only
Burning to CD method
Audials
Rating: 
(3.6 / 5)
Audials Windows software connects you with Music-and-more, Streaming, Universal Converter, and also a Media Center. You will find 14 different function areas in the Audials Worlds. When you installed this software, it creates virtual CD burner on your computer. So you can “burn” .aa(x) files to virtual CD with iTunes and then rip to MP3 files.
Supported OS: Windows PC only
Any audio converter
Rating: 
(3.3 / 5)
Any Audio Converter is a flexible audio converter and audio extractor. It can convert audio between MP3, WMA, WAVE, AAC, M4A and OGG formats as well as convert other unprotected audio formats. This software works similar to Audials but cheaper.
Supported OS: Windows PC only
Input File Formats Supported:
| Video | Windows Media (AVI, WMV, ASF, DVR-MS, MS-DVR) MOV/MP4 File (MOV, MP4, 3GP, 3G2, M4V, QT, 3GP2, 3GPP, MPEG4) Real Media (RM, RMVB, RV) Rash Video (FLV, F4V) Matroska Video (MKV, WEBM) AviSynth Scripts (AVS) High Definition Video (M2TS, MTS, TOD) MPEG-1 Video (M1V, MPE, MPG, MPV, DAT, MPEG, MPEG1) MPEG-2 Video (M2V, MPE, MPG, MPV, VOB, MPEG, MPEG2, M2P, MOD) MPEG Transport Stream Video (TS, TP, M2T, TRP) Divx Video (DIVX) OGG Media (OGM, OGV, OGG) DVD-VR Video (VRO) Nullsoft Stream Video (NSV) IOS Image (ISO) Other Video Formats: DV, AMS |
| Audio | MP3 (MP3), WAV (WAV), WMA (WMA), Flac (FLAC), AC3 (AC3), AAC (AAC), M4A (M4A, M4R), OGG (OGG), AMR (AMR) Other Audio Formats: AU, AIF, AIFF, AIFC, ADTS, ALAW, AMR, APC, APE, CAF, DTS, GSD, GSM, MKA, MLP, MMF, MP1, MP2, MPEG3, MPC, MP+, M2A, NUT, OMA, QCP, RA, RR and more. |
| Audio CD | CDA Tracks |
| CUE | CUE associated APE, FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, TAK, MPC, TTA, M4B, M4A, AIFF |
Output Audio Formats Supported:
| Apple Products | MP3 Audio (*.mp3), AIFF Audio (*.aiff), APPLE Loseless Audio (*.m4a), MPEG-4 Audio (*.m4a) |
| Sony Products | MP3 Audio (*.mp3), MPEG-4 Audio (*.m4a), WMA Audio (*.wma) |
| Microsoft Products | MP3 Audio (*.mp3), MPEG-4 Audio (*.m4a), WAVE Audio (*.wav), WMA Audio (*.wma) |
| Mobile Phone | MP3 Audio(*.mp3), WMA Audio(*.wma) |
| Lossless Formats | Monkey’s Audio(*.ape), Free Lossless Audio(*.flac), WAVE Audio(*.wav) |
| Common Formats | MP2 Audio (*.mp2), MP3 Audio (*.mp3), OGG Vorbis Audio (*.ogg), AAC Audio (*.aac), AC3 Audio (*.ac3), AIFF Audio (*.aiff), Apple Losseless Audio (*m4a), Monkey’s Audio (*ape), SUN AU Audio (*au), Digital Surround Audio (*dts), Free Lossless Audio (*flac), MPEG-4 Audio (*m4a), WAVE Audio (*wav) |
Let’s me know if you have a better option to share with.
Anchy
I tried you recommend Aimersoft DRM Media Converter, it wonderful, not only convert my .aa file to mp3, but convert my DRM protected amazon videos to mp4.
MJ
Good to hear that you liked it. Stay tuned for more such updates.
Paul
Aimersoft DRM Media Converter requires iTunes is installed.
VERY Limited without paying for it.
Juan
Requiere licence code … :/ trial only convert one minute.
MJ
Yes you will have to purchase the license code.
M
Dave
I’ve used it for over a year. A 10 hour book would take about 6 hours to convert. I tried AAx to MP3 an 12 hour book took less than 13 minutes.
MJ
Hi Dave… Thanks for the review and it is really helpful for our readers. Stay tuned for more such article.
Cheers
Morne
AAX is even faster than that. It’s amazing. I just hate that I haven’t found it earlier.
thx you guys
Importante
One important thing you forgot to mention. costs? would have been nice to know that in order to compare products.
MJ
Hey Impo,
Really thanks… I completely agree to what you say. Thanks for the feedback; I will certainly add in those details from here on.
Cheers
M
Christ Cena
I tried TuneFab Apple Music Converter, and it did work. It helps me convert aa to mp3 for mp3 player listening.
MJ
Thanks for your comment Christ… This will certainly be helpful for our readers.
Sirtutu
So all in all your top 5 ain’t too close to being anywhere near the top 5 – but I guess you will take that into account in your next review which I may or may not read
Annie Yazbeck
I used AudFree Audible Audiobook Converter to get it done. It really can convert AA/AAX to MP3 with lossless quality preserved.
Iris Yan
I think you forget Epubor audible converter—the fastest ebook converter forever.