Does anyone still listen to radio (DAB or FM)?

[dave2010]

I'm prompted by the recent posts on MP3 compression or similar to ask about radio usage. In the UK DAB radio is at best 192kbps Musicam (MP2), so definitely should not sound as good as 192kbps mp3. We know from the debacle a few years back that listeners definitely didn't like the reduction to 160 kbps (on Radio 3), causing the BBC to revert back to 192 kbps.

Other digital stations unfortunately don't use such high bit rates - the next highest being ClassicFM at 160 kbps Joint Stereo, and after that most are down at 128 kbps or less.

I even hear that some listeners still like FM, and some prefer it to DAB.

In this context maybe MP3s at high bit rates could be preferable to most forms of radio.

[Barry]

I'm prompted by the recent posts on MP3 compression or similar to ask about radio usage. In the UK DAB radio is at best 192kbps Musicam (MP2), so definitely should not sound as good as 192kbps mp3. We know from the debacle a few years back that listeners definitely didn't like the reduction to 160 kbps (on Radio 3), causing the BBC to revert back to 192 kbps.

Other digital stations unfortunately don't use such high bit rates - the next highest being ClassicFM at 160 kbps Joint Stereo, and after that most are down at 128 kbps or less.

I even hear that some listeners still like FM, and some prefer it to DAB.

In this context maybe MP3s at high bit rates could be preferable to most forms of radio.

Hi Dave,

We listen to FM radio every day we're at home. And have done so for the last thirty years!

There's absolutely no comparison between the monstrosity called DAB and FM radio.

I shall be listening to FM right up to the proposed switch off!

Regards

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Dave,

We listen to FM radio every day we're at home. And have done so for the last thirty years!

There's absolutely no comparison between the monstrosity called DAB and FM radio.

I shall be listening to FM right up to the proposed switch off!

Regards

+1

DAB is an act of cultural vandalism. If the once proud tradition of BBC engineering think its fit for purpose then how the mighty have fallen....sound quality does not matter any more DAB is shite.....

FM eats DAB. Even a mediocre FM radio sounds better than the best DAB radio I have heard. The best FM radios such as the Leak Trough-line, Revox, Quad, Pioneer, Sony and Sansui radios sound amazing




Regards D S D L

[Joe]

I listen to FM every day and I'm currently dipping my toe into the brave new world of internet radio. We have a DAB radio too but rarely use it.

[The Grand Wazoo]

FM for me.
Internet radio sometimes, but only for a few specific stations at times of extreme busyness or if I fancy some non-stop Zappa. It's for hearing, but never, ever for listening.

[Marco]

I even hear that some listeners still like FM, and some prefer it to DAB.

Yes it's just us idiots who, despite the government and BBC's continual 'dumbing-down' of broadcast material and sound quality, still possess the faculty for discernment!

Marco.

[DrMartin]

FM everyday for me. Radio 2 mostly.

I haven't heard DAB through my system, only on a Roberts portable downstairs which I have to have plugged into the mains because for some reason these DAB radios seem to eat batteries. If that sort of excessive power consumption is across the board then there must be some sort of environmental objection to DAB?

[The Grand Wazoo]

I did a comparison of 4 or 5 tuners (some were the tuner sections of 70's Japanese receivers) with BBC Radio 3 and 4 on Freeview piped through my Accuphase DAC and the difference was obvious after about 1/2 a second.....maybe less.
The difference was substantial in every case, & based on that evidence, I won't be dumping my tuners yet.

[Spectral Morn]

I did a comparison of 4 or 5 tuners (some were the tuner sections of 70's Japanese receivers) with BBC Radio 3 and 4 on Freeview piped through my Accuphase DAC and the difference was obvious after about 1/2 a second.....maybe less.
The difference was substantial in every case, & based on that evidence, I won't be dumping my tuners yet.

Very much my findings too, using Sky and Free view feeding the digital signal to a high quality DAC. FM was vastly superior.


Regards D S D L

[Marco]

Let's face it, chaps, DAB and computer radio are simply yet more examples of convenience over quality in today's largely undiscerning 'disposable' society........

Marco.