Best played loud

Posted by: TOBYJUG on 30 September 2015

More so older vinyl Lps , reading in small print somewhere at the bottom of back cover would be " This record has been cut to sound best when turned up loud". Of course I always did turn it up loud playing said records - but was there any justifiable reason for this recommendation , other than recognising that Most people would have less than optimum record players and loud would cover some distortions ?

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by Gremlin

Yes turn it up loud so you could share the music with you're neighbours

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by oscarskeeper

From my experience, which isn't all that extensive, many older speakers did not sound great at very low levels. Maybe that's it? I am not talking about ESLs here!

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by Innocent Bystander

Depends on the music - rock music is intended to be loud! (And to me at least sounds best that way). And dramatic orchestral music should have loud loud bits and quiet quiet bits - requiring good dynamic range. 24 bit digital offers that without the relatively high noise floor of vinyl, allowing crescendos to be realistically loud, but pianissimo passages to be quiet.

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by joerand

Back in vinyl's heyday I had AAL speakers with a 15" woofer, two mids, and a tweeter. Huge sealed cabinets with a front vent. Yeah, I had to turn it up loud to get that woofer working effectively. These days comparatively diminutive ported floor standers with a driver a third the diameter of that old woofer get the trick done at much lower volume.

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by Sneaky SNAIC

Skinny Puppy - Vivisect VI

Liner notes: "Play this music loud or not at all — As always to the green guy — To hell with any bullshit."