When comparing XMMS vs aqualung, the Slant community recommends aqualung for most people. In the question“What are the best audio players for UNIX-like systems?” aqualung is ranked 35th while XMMS is ranked 38th. The most important reason people chose aqualung is:
Aqualung offers continuous, gap-free playback of consecutive tracks. Your ears get exactly what's in the files – no silence inserted in-between.
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Pros
Pro Support for Winamp themes
XMMS is able to use any Winamp skin available.
Pro Simple and familiar music player
Many users should be pretty familiar with the interface as it has been built to match that of the popular Winamp player.
Pro Gapless playback
Aqualung offers continuous, gap-free playback of consecutive tracks. Your ears get exactly what's in the files – no silence inserted in-between.
Pro LADSPA plugin support
You can use any suitable LADSPA plugin to enhance the music you are listening to. There are many different plugins out there, including equalizers, spatial enhancers, tube pre-amp simulators, etc.
Pro JACK Audio Server support
Pro Multiple skin support
There's support for multiple skins in aqualung; changing them is possible at any time.
Cons
Con Looks are dated and may be unappealing
XMMS is pretty long in the tooth now and it's design definitely reflects that.