diff --git a/include/OutputSettings.h b/include/OutputSettings.h
index 974f70afb..4a375d244 100644
--- a/include/OutputSettings.h
+++ b/include/OutputSettings.h
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ public:
 		m_bitRateSettings(bitRateSettings),
 		m_bitDepth(bitDepth),
 		m_stereoMode(stereoMode),
-		m_compressionLevel(0.5)
+		m_compressionLevel(0.625) // 5/8
 	{
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/gui/ExportProjectDialog.cpp b/src/gui/ExportProjectDialog.cpp
index 89586ef17..aa9f9ede6 100644
--- a/src/gui/ExportProjectDialog.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/ExportProjectDialog.cpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ ExportProjectDialog::ExportProjectDialog( const QString & _file_name,
 			QVariant(i/static_cast<double>(MAX_LEVEL))
 		);
 	}
-	compLevelCB->setCurrentIndex(MAX_LEVEL/2);
+	compLevelCB->setCurrentIndex(5);
 #ifndef LMMS_HAVE_SF_COMPLEVEL
 	// Disable this widget; the setting would be ignored by the renderer.
 	compressionWidget->setVisible(false);