Hi quality mono encoder?

[StudioRat]

I'm looking for an encoder that will allow me to make high quality mp3's, but in mono---not stereo (believe it or not).  If you're interested, it's because I'm posting spoken messages--they don't need to be in stereo---in fact, I'd prefer them to be in mono because that cuts the files size in half.

The encoders I've seen only allow you to do mono at the lower bitrates.

Any ideas?  Suggestions?

[Mordy Ovits]

LAME can encode mono MP3s at whatever bitrate you require.  BTW, if it's speech your after, there are codecs that do a much better job than the generalist MP3.  Speex is a free one.

[StudioRat]

I'm not familiar with Speex.  I can look it up.  But---off the top of your head--is it something that most, if not all, users can play back off the Internet?

In other words, if I'm Joe Average Guy with a Joe Average Guy computer, and I go to this web site and there's a Speex file, will I be able to click on it and hear it?