While there are still thousands of vinyl junkies and lossless file obsessives scouring record stores, it seems like we’ve stopped caring quite so much about high fidelity in our music listening experience.
Just think of the tiny speakers you hear on mobile phones, or the muffled strains of an iPod dock. Fidelity has stopped being important. And, without sounding like your dad trying to push his 70’s prog rock on his kids, the trend of poor sound quality is grating on the ears.
Let’s look at the old days, when turntables were the name of the game. Although most people had to put up with less than high quality turntables, their speakers were invariably excellent. They didn’t have to worry about their internet connection timing out or their music buffering.
Indeed, no number of hi-tech laptops can beat a good quality sound system. And there’s still a huge number of products available to give you an optimal listening experience. So what could we recommend?
The Right Beats
Dr Dre’s Beats range of headphones have made him more cash than his albums – and rightly so. You might be suspicious about a set of branded headphones, but even the cheapest in his range will fill you with aural delights.
Wireless headphones will allow you to listen to your favorite tunes without a mass of wires to bother you, all with acoustics specially designed for listening up close and personal.
Moreover, the range is designed to fit your ears in absolute comfort, as opposed to rigid cheaper headphones. So give them a look!
Pono Player
Championed by Neil Young, the Pono Player is a luxury alternative to the iPod. Initially it was funded on Kickstarter, promoting itself with its superior music quality. The player gives you an enhanced resolution for your hard-earned bucks – all with the versatility of a standard MP3 player.
Such luxury doesn’t come cheap, mind you. A standard player will cost almost £400, while uncompressed albums can set you back a reasonable amount. But if you’re hoping to join in Pono Music’s fight against compressed music, it’s a small price to pay.
A good old-fashioned
Depending on your music taste, a new crisp piece of tech might not be what you require. Retro music is the “in†thing right now, and older record players offer the perfect support for your old records.
Head to a record shop for a player specifically designed to suit your needs. The folks in store will find you the perfect fit for your hipster listening.
