MSE Forum Poll: What's your preferred way of listening to music these days?

MSE_JC

The humble cassette has been making a bit of a comeback over the last year. Even the likes of Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande have released tracks on tape. Whether it's due to nostalgia, novelty or perceived differences in audio quality, there's still a demand for physical media despite the convenience of streaming.

How do you tend to enjoy your tunes?

Vote in the poll then share your thoughts in the thread.

soolin

I'm an older music fan, started on LPs, went through cassettes, CDs the lot then found spotify. I now use a paid for subscription and I love being able to listen to anything at any time (I have Alexas in several rooms in the house). I did like a CD but had so many , box loads, that the chance of finding the one you wanted was remote. now I can have instant music.

The only thing i regret is that I have some music on cassette that has never been release din any other format which I shall lose as my last cassette capable player is on its last legs. My car is old though, so I kept a few CDs just to play there as the radio adverts drive me mad.

I even have some old 33 1/3 records that I can still play.

Worried_fool

Why does the poll not include live (acoustic) performances?

All the means listed are simply substitutes for The Real Thing.

Also disappointing that the options do not include open-reel tape and wax cylinders, nor even shellac (78 records were made out of shellac, before those new-fangled vinyl LPs came in).

37403

I usually listen to music on the radio, although normally its a streamed radio station (Vision media, Australia), although I do also listen to normal radio most days (Absolute country or Classic FM). The reason I prefer radio, is I also like the blend of conversation with the presenter. And I get to hear new music that I don't know about.

One of the joys of life I think is how easy it is to access great music these days.

Catonthemoon

I find this quite incredulous; I thought cassettes had been forever consigned to the ‘musical dustbin’.
I recall the sound quality as being appalling (crackling, hiss etc). IMO, CD’s win hands down.

horsewithnoname

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022993#Comment_82022993

ah but now they have “collectible” tapes to flog! It’s just a money spinner is all.
CDs for me. Much as I love proper LPs they take up too much room. I also love my iPod for listening on my commute

Bumblepaws

I have a large box full of cassette tapes both albums and singles, including mix tapes I did myself on a tape-to-tape player....ah the old days... I spent hours & hours making these!

I never had my own record player so didn't have any vinyl, but I have stacks of cds!

I used these and digital music from friends to make playlists which are stored on the sd card in my phone. I listen to these, You Tube mixes (free version with annoying ads 😠) and streaming live radio nowadays. Both via my smart phone or Alexa.

I must say that I still think that there is nothing that sounds as crystal clear as vinyl though. Digital music seems to have lost the "depth" of sound that vinyl produces.

twopenny

I played some of my old tapes recently and was surprised at the quality.

Perhaps the modern means have become more ropey in the name of sales.

The missing one is Mp3 player. Very long battery life, Bluetooth radio all portable and tiny.