In the late 1940’s, the 45-RPM record replaced the 78-RPM
record. The 45 was smaller, less breakable and could be made and
sold more cheaply. Despite these advantages, it took ten years
before the 78 became obsolete, and in the meantime, record
companies sold their product in both formats. In 1982, the major
record companies introduced the compact disc, which offered a
smaller size, “perfect” sound, and less likelihood of damage in
day to day use. As the compact disc offered a much larger profit
margin than did the long-play record album (LP) the record
companies were eager to rid store shelves of records once and
for all. Given that the 78 lasted ten years after the
introduction of the 45, it seemed likely that the LP would be
gone from the market by 1990. The expected disappearance of the
LP never happened. Despite the efforts of the music industry,
music fans and collectors not only continue to buy records
today, but sales of records and record-playing equipment are on
the rise.
Each year in January, the Consumer Electronics
Show (CES) is held in Las Vegas. At this event, audio and video
manufacturers show off the latest and greatest in their product
lines. An unusual sight this year was not the large number of
cutting-edge compact disc players, but the largest number of
record turntables that had been seen at the event in years!
Sales of both new and used records are hot, and equipment
manufacturers are eager to reintroduce the turntables they quit
making years ago. Why are record sales increasing when compact
discs are supposed to provide perfect sound in an unbreakable
format? There are several reasons:
Price. Price is
always a factor when consumers buy anything and the prices of
new and used record albums are less than the prices of new and
used compact discs, respectively. Used CDs may sell for $5-8;
used record albums sell for $3-5
Physical size.
A lot of people prefer the larger size of record albums. They
don’t store as easily as compact discs, but the covers and
lyrics are easier to read, and the product feels more
substantial. Buyers feel like they’re getting “more” for their
money, even if it’s just extra weight.
Sound.
The digital sound of compact discs has a certain cleanness and
purity to it, but many listeners find the sound of compact discs
to be “artificial” or “metallic”, lacking the “warmth” of the
sound of a record. Arguments have been going on for years, and
fans of compact discs claim that there really is no difference
in sound, but millions of record fans would probably
disagree.
Nostalgia. A lot of Baby Boomers grew
up listening to records, and records have a fond familiarity to
them that listeners like.
New record albums continue
to be released every day. Aided by artists who are still
recording who demand that their albums be released as both
records and compact discs, such as Diana Krall, Pink Floyd, and
Metallica, record album sales continue to thrive. Despite
industry efforts to kill the format back in the 1980’s, It
appears that the record album will continue to live on, well
into the twenty-first century, and music fans couldn’t be
happier about it.
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