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Audio connoisseurs have lectured about the quality of vinyl records for generations. Whether it’s through the voice of a relative who grew up listening to vinyl or hipster friends, you had in your early 20s. Everyone has heard about why vinyl records are better than any other format. Unfortunately, this narrative sometimes comes without any context. However, vinyl records boast this sort of elevated experience.   

While there are many advocates for listening to records on vinyl, it can take a little digging to figure out why this is such a strong and persistent mentality. So without further adieu, let’s delve into the reasons and arguments for and against jumping on the vinyl record bandwagon.  

Pro: Sound Quality 

First and foremost, when listening to vinyl records, the sound quality is simply better. This is because of the technology involved in creating the record. Where CDs are digital audio recordings and certainly do the trick, they hardly hold a candle to what that same music sounds like life. This is the whole purpose and design of a vinyl record. The sound waves are physically pressed into the vinyl material when vinyl records are made. This captures a level of auditory accuracy that makes the music transportive.  

Rather than very obviously listening to a digital recording, the music sounds organic, live, and in the room. This offers a wildly different auditory experience and is immediately noticeable, even to someone without a trained ear. The sound quality of vinyl records is easily and by far their most significant selling point. They continue to be a player in the marketplace, even though technology has far surpassed the systems involved in recording a record on vinyl. 

Con: Not Mobile Friendly 

While vinyl records offer a higher sound quality, they make up for that lack of mobility. Not only are record players themselves heavy and slightly cumbersome, but the vinyl records themselves will require proper storage. A bookshelf is typically more than enough to get the job done, but it still takes into consideration and space in your living room (or wherever else you’d put your record player and vinyl collection.) In a day and age where agility, mobility, remote work, and the virtual economy are all on the forefront of people’s minds, sacrificing the mobility that Apple Music, Spotify, or SoundCloud offer may be too big of a price to pay for some, no matter how much they love music.  

This should go without saying, but this also means you can’t bring along your favorite vinyl experiences on those cross-country road trips or other long car rides. These are situations much more suited for a blue-tooth capable device that can hold thousands and thousands of songs without taking up more space than your pocket offers. For the avid road-tripper and car ride junkie, vinyl records may not be the most efficient route. 

Pro: Collectors and Retro 

Work-from-home professionals, homebodies, and even those that just choose to spend their freetime at home; however, record players and vinyl records can be meditative. The sound quality is transportive and fills a room with warmth and light. This also makes a vinyl collection an excellent draw for any type of little get-together. Whether it’s a summer barbeque, an afternoon coffee, or a rainy Saturday night in, a record player and vinyl collection will elevate the entire experience. 

Not only does the combination of a record player and vinyl collection make a great draw to a house party, but they’re also genuinely collector items. This is more the case for rare records, first releases, or other special circumstances that resulted in a limited run but is still a very active market in and of itself.  

Con: Storage 

One of the drawbacks to setting up a record player and beginning a vinyl collection is the required storage. Vinyl records aren’t condensed by any means and can take up a hefty portion of a bookshelf, if not the whole thing. At the same time, the record player itself is essentially a whole piece of furniture that needs a dedicated space indoors.  

The sheer space required to house a record player and vinyl collection could be a turn-off for the minimalist who doesn’t like filling their quarters with unnecessary items.  

Final Thoughts About Jazz on Vinyl 

The proof is in the air. Vinyl records offer an elevated listening experience due to the method of making them. This is the best argument in favor of listening to and enjoying records on vinyl. Add a record player to your living room, be ready to host listening parties. Blue note jazz is a great browse.