Why does music sound better on the Radio? Or is it just me?
Discussion
On Radio 2 this morning, Chris Evans played "Layla" - a great track (IMO), but on the radio, it just seemed to sound better than how it sounds on my iPod.
I realised (well, I have done before) that a lot of the tracks that are on my iPod sound better on the Radio but I've not worked out why (Hotel California is another example) - is it just me that thinks this?
I realised (well, I have done before) that a lot of the tracks that are on my iPod sound better on the Radio but I've not worked out why (Hotel California is another example) - is it just me that thinks this?
It's very much the reverse. Radio is invariably compressed horribly to remove the peaks and troughs in volume levels, to cater for the wide variety of radios it will be listened to on.
It might sound marginally better on a small portable, but you will get hugely better dynamic range and contrast playing it from CD or audio file on a half decent pair of headphones or hifi.
It might sound marginally better on a small portable, but you will get hugely better dynamic range and contrast playing it from CD or audio file on a half decent pair of headphones or hifi.
Edited by tank slapper on Monday 21st February 13:47
ad551 said:
Radio sounds awful on any decent headphones or speakers, as it is so compressed.
You might find though, if your car is noisy, that the compression is bringing in things you wouldn't normally here from your iPod as they are too quiet.
Maybe that's it - I have permanent tinnitus, so I do notice quiet more whereas there's less of that on the radio.You might find though, if your car is noisy, that the compression is bringing in things you wouldn't normally here from your iPod as they are too quiet.
My stereo has been upgraded from the OEM one in the Golf to a far better Clarion HU...
adycav said:
james_tigerwoods said:
"ambience"
That reminds me of something, can't quite figure out what it is...OP - I know what you mean, but find it sometimes works both ways i.e. there have been tracks on an album that I have initially disliked, but then later liked it after hearing it on the radio, and vice versa.
The Nur said:
james_tigerwoods said:
This is on my car Stereo...
I notice it even over DAB - maybe it's the Radio "ambience" and/or experience that I'm enjoying...
Ahh I see, I thought you were comparing radio through you car stereo to the same tracks played on your Ipod.I notice it even over DAB - maybe it's the Radio "ambience" and/or experience that I'm enjoying...
Being a bit of a 'Tard.
1. Too much lossy file compression on the MP3 (or whatever format is in use). Try to use a lossless format if you care about the particular track. It makes a fecking HUGE difference from 128kbit or whatever Apple use as standard. Don't expect purchased downloads to be lossless quality.
2. The Apple codec and drive amplifier isn't the best. A great deal can be done by using an external pre-amp, but if the quality ain't there, it ain't there.
2. The Apple codec and drive amplifier isn't the best. A great deal can be done by using an external pre-amp, but if the quality ain't there, it ain't there.
Could it just be that when you listen to music in the car it comes from multiple speakers from different angles and fills the car with sound rather than when you listen on headphones when sound is directed sraight into your ear?
I tend to find that CDs have a warmest fullest sound than MPs as on average at 128kpbs music is compressed at a rate of more than 10:1 and radio is the absolute worst for sound quality even when supposedly its on stereo+RDS mode which should indicate strong signal.
dave
I tend to find that CDs have a warmest fullest sound than MPs as on average at 128kpbs music is compressed at a rate of more than 10:1 and radio is the absolute worst for sound quality even when supposedly its on stereo+RDS mode which should indicate strong signal.
dave
aka_kerrly said:
Could it just be that when you listen to music in the car it comes from multiple speakers from different angles and fills the car with sound rather than when you listen on headphones when sound is directed sraight into your ear?
I tend to find that CDs have a warmest fullest sound than MPs as on average at 128kpbs music is compressed at a rate of more than 10:1 and radio is the absolute worst for sound quality even when supposedly its on stereo+RDS mode which should indicate strong signal.
dave
It could be that - I always balance the sound slightly to the rear and slightly to the left so that the sound comes from all sides - maybe that's it?I tend to find that CDs have a warmest fullest sound than MPs as on average at 128kpbs music is compressed at a rate of more than 10:1 and radio is the absolute worst for sound quality even when supposedly its on stereo+RDS mode which should indicate strong signal.
dave
Thin White Duke said:
I think it may be psychological. You hear a song on the radio that you enjoy and know that other people are listening to it. It may have been requested by a fellow listener, therefore creating a live performance atmosphere that takes the song to a high.
Wow, that's deep....Having done a live session on BBC (local ) radio I got a bit of an explanation from the DJ. They played out one of our home recorded tracks which sounded much better on the radio, mainly because they use very nice compressors and EQs which can make stuff that's recorded with a large dynamic range sound good and loud. That makes it sound "punchy" in the car, which is pretty much what FM is all about.
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