What Is It About Vinyl?

From the debut of the Panharmonicon in 1805 to today’s streaming music services, the world has been through dozens of different recording formats. Yet of all the types of recordings available, to this day the unassuming vinyl LP still boasts the most enduring fan base.

What is it about vinyl that keeps people coming back? Is it the sound quality? The investment potential? Sentimentality? The experience? Maybe all of the above and more. Whatever it is, vinyl is once again the top-selling form of physical music media. Despite the idea of paying more for something that requires storage space, contains a limited number of songs, and packs significant weight in large quantities, sales of vinyl have increased regularly over the past 15 years and show no signs of slowing down, even as CDs and other physical formats have declined in popularity.

So what is it that makes vinyl so special? A few factors stand out.

The Experience

For most of us in today’s media saturated world, music is often the background to some other experience. We’re streaming music while we’re working on some other task, while our attention is focused elsewhere.

With vinyl, the physical ritual is part of the experience. The record needs to be unsheathed and placed on the turntable. The needle needs to be placed on the record and removed at the end. Flip the record over and repeat. Meanwhile, you’re sucked into the artwork, the info on the artist, maybe the lyrics. It’s an experience that demands your attention, and gets you more in touch with the music. The act of playing and listening to a record slows your pace and transforms it from background distraction to a meaningful experience.

The Physical Memorabilia

Streaming was supposed to completely reset the landscape of digital media, whether it be music, TV, or movies, and in many ways it has. But now that streaming services rule the roost, their prices have been creeping ever higher. And streaming services can often take down a recording at a moment’s notice, or replace it with a different version, depending on licensing issues and other agreements. That uncertainty surrounding continued access is a big concern for many subscribers.

And while streaming music is easy, convenient, and practically unlimited, it’s not quite the same as having a physical memento of an artist whose music you love. No matter how many times you stream a track, it’s never any less ephemeral. The ability to hold in your hand something that encompasses an artist or album you love is appealing to a lot of people. It’s like owning a little piece of that artist, or at least of their work.

The Connection With the Artist

A great many artists are recognizing the renewed interest in vinyl and are responding in creative ways. Major artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo have been releasing albums on vinyl, often with exclusive tracks, custom artwork, and other extras only available in that format. Needless to say, this is an incentive for dedicated fans to buy a physical copy rather than just streaming their music.

This shift has also inspired up and coming independent artists to press their own records to sell at shows and on their websites, typically in small runs that become instant collectables. It’s a great way for younger artists in particular to connect with their audience and build their fan base.

The Connection With the Music

It’s no secret that streaming has created a focus on single tracks. But for many artists, the album is a collection of songs, intentionally assembled and sequenced. Dropping the needle on an LP encourages you to listen to the album in its entirety, engaging you with the music on a deeper level. Few experiences rival that of sitting in front of the speakers and immersing yourself in a classic album from start to finish.

The Collectability

Vinyl records have become more than just a physical medium—many are now prized collectables. Limited edition pressings, picture disks, colored pressings, and specially remastered reissues of classic albums have created a market for collectors seeking treasures. Surveys have confirmed that at least half of all vinyl purchasers collect records mainly for their rarity and value. For many, collecting vinyl is like a treasure hunt and a connection with music history.

The Sound

Sure, MP3s have no physical weight, they’re immediately accessible, fully portable, and require no special care. And for many younger listeners, they’ve never known any other listening experience. When that’s what you’re accustomed to, hearing the sound of a vinyl LP for the first time can be a bit of a surprise. The depth, the imaging, the sonic stamp of analog audio is simply in a class by itself. And once they hear it, many listeners are immediately smitten.

Sure, some services like Tidal and Qobuz offer high-resolution recordings, but their prices are higher and their selection more meager. Having a vinyl LP means you’ve always got that sonic quality at your fingertips.

Finding the Best Speakers for Your Record Player

Of course, to get that special sound you’re looking for, you need the right speakers for vinyl. There are countless options for record player speakers. Some speakers accentuate certain frequencies (often bass) while others try to be as accurate as possible. Some speakers are designed for listening up close at your desk, others from far away (like on the couch).

Choosing your turntable speakers comes down to three things:

How you want the speakers to sound
Where you want to put the speakers
How much you want the speakers to cost

That’s why we recommend speakers that let you shape your sound and adapt to your location. Mackie CR studio monitors have a tone knob and a location switch, and they’re also incredibly affordable. They even have dedicated RCA jacks that are perfect for record players.

Vinyl Is Here to Stay

Interestingly, the current push for vinyl isn’t driven by nostalgic baby boomers longing for the LP experience. In fact, the majority of today’s record buying public is Gen Xers and Millennials, eager to find a new and different way to experience music. It’s a trend that shows no signs of letting up.

So head down to your local record store, browse the bins for hidden treasure, bring it home and drop the needle. It’s a totally different experience.

And for listening to your vinyl at high quality—no matter the record, no matter the space—go with the highly adjustable Mackie CR speakers.

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