Is there a difference in listening to music on vinyl?

It’s a well known discussion, is there a difference between listening to music on vinyl and listening on a phone? I decided to ask some of my friends to get their opinions and settle the debate.

Katy Cheeseman, 18, Nursing Apprentice:

“Yeah, you get a whole different atmosphere. I think it’s got a great vibe to just be sitting in someone’s room, being able to flick through their collection with your hands and lift one out the sleeve. Because it’s physical copies I think it’s more personal when listening to music with that person.”

Ethan Williams, 18, Television and Broadcasting Student:

“I really love when you have a record player that little hiss that you get, you can hear the little tk tk tk of the record and I think it’s that novelty that you miss out on. And I think, as

well, when you listen to a record you understand the music completely. So, Mr Blue Sky by ELO, at the end of the song they do that instrumental bit and everyone thinks why is that in it why did they put that in that was a waste. Because I listened to that album on record you can here there’s a running theme throughout the album which really you wouldn’t get that sense if you listened on Spotify or Apple Music or whatever. So that little novelty of the tk tk and the hiss. That’s what makes it special.”

Nathan Allatt, 18, Petroleum Engineering Student:

“There’s a lot different. I think it just sounds better, I don’t know. It just a sort of  weird difference between them but they’re just like… It’s hard to explain but it does sound different, and it’s totally worth it. I’m now addicted.”

Megan Tidmarsh, 21, Film Production Student:

“Yeah, it feels like you’ve worked for it a bit more compared to something like Apple Music. It’s like going out, searching for it and then buying the record compared to just typing in a song and getting it instantly. It’s a bit more real too. I like to see it, I don’t know if that’s just me. It’s like holding a book in your hands.”

Theo Algar, 19, International Business Student:

“I think listening to a record gives you an experience that you don’t get when you’re listening on your phone. It’s like the atmosphere is different. There may not be a difference in actual sound but what you feel when you listen to a record is a completely different vibe and it’s pretty amazing. Its almost like going back in time or something just while that record plays. I really enjoy just being able to chill out, bang on a record, and enjoy the moment.”

Jessica Quinn, 20, Waitress:

“I don’t really think there’s a difference to be honest. I’ve listened to both and I’d say if anything it’s a little bit more effort to listen to a record. I mean, you have to get up half way through to turn it to the B side and it kind of just eliminates the ability to lay back and chill out because you know you’ll just be getting back up in 20 minutes or so. Don’t get me wrong, I love listening to records and the whole feel when they’re playing, I just personally prefer listening to something on my phone. I get the hype around it though.”

So it seems that most people do agree that there’s a difference between listening to a record and listening to music on a phone. Personally, I’d agree. Listening to a record provides a completely different and enjoyable experience than listening on a phone.

Here’s one of my favourite records to listen to – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJAfLE39ZZ8

And you can buy it from HMV