Between CDs gathering dust and Spotify playlists reigning supreme, physical formats seem doomed... Yet, vinyl is holding its own. What if their decline is hiding a boon for music lovers?
With the rise of platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, CDs and vinyl seemed to have bowed out. Yet, despite a French market dominated 76% by streaming, according to Statista, vinyl sales in the United States have been climbing for 18 years. Proof that the analog medium has not said its last word... even if the shadow of decline looms once again.
According to Statista, less than 30% of respondents in major markets still listen to music via physical media. CDs are piling up in basements, while turntables remain plugged in for a niche of enthusiasts. But behind this disaffection, vinyl is composing its own score. The (relative) comeback of the black record. In the United States, 43.6 million vinyl records were sold in 2024, compared to less than a million in 2006. A spectacular rebound, but one that only represents 8% of the music industry's revenue, far behind streaming. Above all, half of buyers don't even own a turntable, according to Luminate. Proof that vinyl is often a collector's item, a tangible connection with artists, rather than a daily listening format. Record Store Day, celebrated every year since 2007, symbolizes this resistance. Concerts, limited editions, artist encounters... The event unites a community attached to the physical experience of music. A cultural as well as commercial battle.
Sound Quality and Opportunities
While streaming offers incomparable practicality, audiophiles point to the advantage of analog formats: preserved sonic richness, provided you invest in a good turntable and well-maintained records. Conversely, the quality of digital remains dependent on the compression and equipment used.
More good news: the second-hand market is becoming attractive. Prices for vintage turntables are stabilizing, or even falling, making access to high-end sound more affordable. A boon for those who want to reconnect with vinyl without breaking the bank.
However, CDs are not benefiting from this reprieve. In constant decline, they are struggling to attract the new generation, unlike vinyl, which benefits from an intact cool capital. In short, physical formats aren't dead... but they're dancing to a slow rhythm. Between nostalgia, collecting, and the quest for quality, vinyl still has a loyal following.
0 Comments