We’ve all met that music fanatic who is adamant that the sound of vinyl is far superior to any other way audio format. Although there is some subjectivity to this claim, there are ways that we can measure the sonic qualities of vinyl records.
There are fewer sub-bass frequencies in the sound produced by a vinyl record compared to other formats, but the difference in low-end projection isn’t very noticeable to our ears. Vinyl’s frequency response starts as low as 20 Hz, so theoretically, the bass shouldn’t be any less prominent.
Other factors come into play when discussing the bass produced by vinyl. The equipment used, such as the record player, the amplifier, and the speakers, will all significantly impact how the bass frequencies sound when you listen to vinyl records.
This comprehensive guide will cover all of the essential information on vinyl and bass to get the best sound from your system.
Does Vinyl Have Less Bass?
There are certain characteristics to the sound of a vinyl record that cannot be produced by the other ways of listening to music. The slightly saturated tone, the subtle crackling sound, and the pronounced midrange are all hallmarks of vinyl records.
One weakness of vinyl records is their lack of bass. The low-end frequencies have to be significantly boosted by the preamp on a record player. Otherwise, there would be hardly any bass audible in the output.
There is an interesting story behind the lack of bass that vinyl records produce. Back in the 50s, when the vinyl record was the most popular medium for listening to music, teams of experts attempted to create a new, long-playing record that would allow a full album to be played rather than a couple of songs.
One of the main issues they encountered was that the bass frequencies were making the needle move too far away from the circular grooves of the record. This meant that a large portion of the space was being used for the bass frequencies, limiting the amount of music that could be pressed onto the record.
The experts discovered that if they limited the bass frequencies, they would have more space on the record to work with. Theoretically, they could simply increase the bass again during playback, using the settings on a preamp.
Although this may seem logical and foolproof, there is one main problem. Reducing the volume of bass frequencies on the vinyl record means they must be boosted adequately through EQ.
The amount that the low-end needed to be boosted resulted in amplified LF noise. Consequently, while this does make it possible to fit more music onto a vinyl record, it also diminishes the overall sound quality by adding unwanted noise to the signal.
Thankfully, an innovative EQ method was devised to boost vinyl records’ bass without causing noise issues. Still, there is less bass produced by a vinyl record than on digital formats.
Does Bass Sound Better on Vinyl?
There is an argument that although vinyl records produce fewer bass frequencies than CDs or other digital audio formats, the low-end of a record sounds better.
The most likely reason someone would prefer the bass sound produced by vinyl is because the analog nature increases the overall warmth of the sound, which is in contrast to the sharper, flatter sound of digital audio.
Bass also tends to sound more defined on a vinyl record, as there is more space between each sound and instrument due to the less compressed sound.
Indeed, the other equipment used with a vinyl record player will largely impact whether the bass sounds good. For example, using a high-end set of speakers with a subwoofer is bound to make the bass sound better than a pair of small, cheap speakers that have been collecting dust for years!
Additionally, the choice of record player, the type of needle, and the preamp used will combine to determine how the bass sounds when you play a vinyl record.
It’s difficult to definitively say whether the bass on a vinyl record sounds better than other ways we can listen to music because it ultimately comes down to the individual’s preference.
One thing is certain – you won’t get as many sub-bass frequencies from a vinyl record as you would when listening to a CD, WAV file, or even an MP3.
If you’re interested in learning whether vinyl records sound better than WAV and other digital formats, we’ve written a detailed guide on this topic.
Does 45 RPM Sound Better Than 33 RPM?
45 RPM records generally sound better than 33 1/3 RPM records. At the most basic level, a record played at the 45 RPM speed can preserve more of the finer details of the original mix of the music than a 33 1/3 RPM record.
Speed is undeniably one of the main reasons that 45 RPM records sound better than their 33 1/3 RPM counterparts, but there are several other contributing factors.
45 RPM records were created using a meticulous process of optimization.
In the late 1940s, industry heavyweights RCA Victor figured out that a record performed optimally when the inner diameter measured half of the outer diameter.
From these experiments, the 45 RPM speed was the optimal choice for the accurate playback of music on vinyl records. This speed was found to minimize distortion and noise most effectively while facilitating the inclusion of more waveform information on the record.
Compared to a 33 1/3 RPM record, a 45 RPM record can hold more peaks and troughs which make up the grooves. This ultimately results in greater detail and definition, as there can be more dynamic and tonal variation.
It’s similar to comparing a lossless, uncompressed digital format like WAV and a highly compressed format like MP3. The former includes more waveform information and, therefore, can produce a higher level of variation in the sound, which causes it to have superior quality.
Related Questions
Why do 12-inch singles sound better?
12-inch singles sound better than smaller records simply because there is more space between the grooves. This results in a wider dynamic range, so there is more contrast between the volume of each sound compared to smaller records with less variation.
What speed do you play a 12-inch single?
While there are some exceptions to this rule, most 12-inch vinyl records are played at 33 1/3 RPM. 7-inch singles, on the other hand, are most commonly played at 45 RPM. You’ll know whether you’re playing a record at the right speed because the pitch will sound too high or low if the setting is incorrect.
What does B W mean on a record?
“B W” was often used on old vinyl records to indicate which songs were included on the flip side. It is an abbreviation of “backed with,” so the listener could see what music was included on the reverse of the vinyl record.