Nearly 75 years after the first vinyl record was produced, vinyl continues to be the preferred medium for audiophiles. While reel-to-reel tape may offer better sound quality, it comes with a higher price tag and requires a more complex setup to fully appreciate its capabilities.
Despite this, analog records remain one of the highest-resolution music distribution formats available, delivering a rich, tangible sound that digital formats have yet to match. Unfortunately, the LP was gaining momentum in the mid-80s just as record companies began to phase it out for various reasons, both well-known and obscure.
However, vinyl has endured the digital age's challenges and is now experiencing a revival that shows no signs of slowing down. This resurgence has led to a wider variety of vinyl options and improved quality. Factors such as vinyl weight, purity, mastering, and manufacturing processes have all seen significant advancements, driven by both technology and increased demand for high-quality records.
With so many choices available, two key questions arise: Does vinyl weight really matter? Is there a notable difference in sound quality between albums pressed at 45 RPM and 33 RPM? For insights on vinyl weight, check out our article titled "The Weight." In this piece, we will focus on the impact of RPM.
So, is there a real difference in sound quality between albums pressed at 45 RPM and 33 RPM? The short answer is yes. Generally, albums pressed at 45 RPM tend to sound better. As renowned mastering engineer Bernie Grundman has explained, and we paraphrase, in record mastering, the higher the recorded level and frequency, the greater the groove curvature. While curvature isn't typically an issue on the outer edge of a 12” 33 1/3 record, it becomes problematic as the groove approaches the center. Although it still spins at 33 1/3 RPM, one revolution takes 1.8 seconds, covering more distance at a 12” diameter than at the smaller 4.75” diameter. This can result in a loss of high frequencies and increased distortion as the groove moves inward.
He further elaborates that at 45 RPM, we achieve a 35% increase in groove velocity at any point on the disk, which is a significant advantage. While the groove still slows down toward the center, the effects are considerably diminished. The trade-off is that the recorded time is reduced by 35%. This reduction in capacity is typically addressed by splitting the record into four sides instead of two, as is common with 33 RPM records. However, this approach increases production costs, effectively doubling expenses for mastering, plating, pressing, labels, and jackets.
Having addressed which speed offers better sound quality, the next question is whether the investment is worth it. This ultimately depends on the listener. Many audiophiles are willing to pay a premium for an enhanced listening experience, while others may reserve the additional expense for their most cherished records. Some may opt not to spend extra for what could be a marginal improvement.
Because of the demand for better quality sounding records, we find that vinyl record manufacturers, such as Record Technology Incorporated (RTI), Quality Records Pressing (QRP), and Pallas are being asked by producers of audiophile vinyl (e.g., Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, Impex, AudioNautes, and Analogue Productions) to produce more albums at 45 RPM than ever. Based on secondary markets for out-of-print 45 RPM records, demand is being under served.
Regardless of your reasons for investing or not, the question about 33 RPM versus 45 RPM sound quality has been answered. The choice is yours.
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