Does vinyl sound better? Here’s what the science says

If you’re a music lover, you pay attention to the quality of the sound. Different devices enable you to enjoy subtle nuances of your favorite tunes that you can’t get anywhere else. Which is the superior way to listen?

It might surprise you that today’s technology doesn’t always offer the ultimate audio experience despite its myriad advantages. You could get superior quality from an old-fashioned record player. Does vinyl sound better? Here’s what the science says.

A Brief History of Music Devices

The earliest known “recorded” music comes from ancient Greece. Historians found the tune “Seikilos Epitaph” engraved on a marble column used to mark a gravesite. However, you can only conjecture what this piece would have sounded like among the agrarian Athenian hills.

The first audio recording device came courtesy of Alexander Graham Bell, he of telephone fame. He didn’t have music on his mind — he wanted something for recording conversations. Instead of discs, he used cylindrical tubes.

Around the same time, Emile Berliner invented the first gramophone that played grooved, flat discs. Eventually, these were made out of vinyl. It didn’t take long for records to become a thing, given how convenient they were to reproduce.

Eventually, inventors found ways to transmit music over the airwaves. The first radios came out of a need for communication by naval and military bodies. However, people began buying radios for private use after World War I.

Today, you can stream music over the internet and play it on any number of devices. You can even regulate the volume by asking your smart device to turn it down a notch — there’s no need to get up and adjust that dial.

Unique Benefits of Vinyl

However, today’s modern music players aren’t all alike in terms of quality. There’s something to be said for the technology of yesteryear. Here are five unique benefits of vinyl you won’t find while streaming.

1. Lossless Format

You might not know it, but every time you record audio or video content, some of the message gets lost due to the medium. Transferring tunes from magnetic tape to LP to your speakers or headphones causes the sound to travel through various channels before reaching your ears, and some distortion occurs along the way.

Vinyl is fully analog, not digital. Therefore, you don’t risk data loss during production — the sound comes to you the way the producer intended.

2. Sound Warmth

Have you ever listened to classical music played while you’re on hold on a cellphone? The din of tinned violins is enough to drive you mad long before you get to a representative.

Music from vinyl is full, rich, and warm like a bold cup of coffee for your ears. It’s as close as you can get to live music without attending a concert.

3. Loudness Limits

Do you find yourself saying “what” repeatedly after taking off your headphones? If so, you were probably listening to your music too loud.

Vinyl records come with built-in volume control in the size of the grooves. While you might think this feature is a disadvantage, think again. One in eight people in the United States suffers from some degree of hearing loss. This condition is much more than an inconvenience — it can increase feelings of loneliness and even hasten the development of dementia.

4. Musical Mindfulness

Putting on a record album isn’t as simple as pushing a button. It’s a more elaborate process that forces you to slow down and be in the moment. It provides the perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness, which multiple studies link to improved mental health outcomes.

Perks and Drawbacks of Streaming Music

That’s not to say streaming music doesn’t have advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the differences you’ll notice between this medium and vinyl:

• Greater variety: Streaming does offer a wider range of music. Producing records takes time and means of production, meaning fewer artists utilize it.

• Instant gratification: What’s the name of that song? If you have a streaming service, all you have to do is check your Sirius radio screen or ask Alexa.

• Available across various devices: To play vinyl, you need a record player. Period. You can stream on anything from a desktop computer to a smartphone to a smart home system.

However, all those benefits come at a cost. Here are some disadvantages of streaming:

• Interruptions: If you’re listening to your favorite artist on YouTube and your internet goes out, there go your tunes.

• Ongoing costs: Many streaming services make you pay a monthly subscription fee.

• Privacy concerns: Signing up for many popular streaming services requires you to fill out personal information and submit it to a company you may not trust and which may lack a customer service department for removing your data.

• Sound distortion: Digitizing music for distribution always results in some distortion.

Does Vinyl Sound Better? The Science Says Yes in Many Cases

If you want the ultimate listening experience, vinyl sounds better. Listen to the science and enjoy your tunes!

Does vinyl sound better? Here’s what the science says