45 or 33⅓ RPM: which edition is worth it?
Many Analogue Productions albums come in both editions. Michael 45 has compared them – and explains what speaks for the 45 and what for the 33.
In short
Sound-wise, going by Michael’s comparisons, the 45 RPM edition is usually the better one: at the same point on the record the groove passes under the stylus about 35 percent faster, and the music gets more room. How big the difference is depends on your system. The 33⅓ RPM editions from Analogue Productions sound great too, you flip the record less often, and they cost less. That is why Michael 45 owns both editions of many albums. Michael 45 carries both and ships throughout the EU and to Switzerland, Norway and the UK.
See the records in both editions
- 45 RPMmore room in the groove
- 33⅓ RPMflip less often
- Bothfrom Analogue Productions
- Michaeloften owns both
Why the 45 usually sounds better
At 45 instead of 33⅓ revolutions per minute, the groove passes under the stylus about 35 percent faster at the same point on the record. Every second of music gets more groove. And because less fits on a side, an album is spread over more sides, usually two LPs. That can avoid the inner grooves near the centre, where sound quality declines.
“Soundwise the 45 RPM, if there hasn’t happened anything strange, is in general the better sounding version. How much better of course strongly depends on your system: the better your system, the more you can hear the differences.”Michael 45 · watch the video “33⅓ vs 45 RPM”
With Dave Brubeck’s Time Out, Michael listened to both editions side by side. For him the 45 is “the fuller” one.
The big song on its own side
While comparing, Michael noticed something else: on the 45 RPM editions, an album’s most important song often has a side to itself. On Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd it is “Free Bird” on side four. On Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters and Duke Ellington’s Masterpieces by Ellington every piece gets its own side. That is convenient: put the record on and the piece plays from start to finish – just right for showing someone how good a recording sounds.
Why the 33 still delights
For Michael, the 33⅓ RPM editions from Analogue Productions are no second choice. You flip the record less often, they cost less, and when friends are over or the music should simply play, the 33 is the more convenient record. The 33s often come in gatefold jackets too.
“If you want to have the last percentage out of the record, the 45 RPM is of course the choice.”Michael 45 · watch the video
And about the 33⅓ editions he says in the same video: “In the case of Analogue Productions they still sound of course amazing.”
With double albums the difference gets big: The Royal Ballet Gala Performances with Ernest Ansermet comes as a 33 on two LPs with a book and as a 45 RPM box with five LPs. According to Michael, the last side of the box repeats side one – “an amazing service”, since side one is usually the most played.
Why Michael owns both
“This is one of the reasons why I have in general, whenever possible, both versions.”Michael 45 · watch the video
The 45 for the evening when you dive deep into the music, the 33 for the evening with friends. Many albums come in both editions, such as Time Out, Folk Singer and Masterpieces by Ellington. Browse all our records at 45 RPM and 33⅓ RPM.
UHQR editions come in both speeds too: Tommy and Who’s Next play at 33⅓, Kind of Blue at 45 RPM – more in our customer question Collecting UHQR records. The LPs of the Atlantic 75 Series are all cut at 45 RPM: Atlantic 75 Series: which titles are worth buying?
From our shelves
Records at 45 and 33⅓ RPM
Michael’s examples from the video, all from Analogue Productions.
FAQ
What customers ask us
Does 45 RPM sound better than 33⅓ RPM?
Going by Michael’s comparisons, usually yes. At the same point on the record the groove runs about 35 percent faster, the music gets more room, and critical inner grooves can more easily be avoided. How big the difference is depends on your system.
What are the advantages of the 33⅓ RPM edition?
You flip the record less often, it costs less, and from Analogue Productions it sounds great too. Double albums fit on two LPs instead of a box.
Why does a 45 RPM edition have more LPs?
At 45 RPM less music fits on a side. An album that fits on one LP at 33⅓ usually needs two at 45 RPM.
Which Analogue Productions albums come in both editions?
For example Dave Brubeck’s Time Out, Muddy Waters’ Folk Singer, Duke Ellington’s Masterpieces by Ellington and The Royal Ballet Gala Performances with Ernest Ansermet.
Is the 45 RPM version of Van Morrison’s Moondance worth it?
Michael on the Van Morrison editions from Analogue Productions: “Especially the sound of Van Morrison’s voice is amazing. It’s brilliant. They really do sound great.” We carry Moondance at 45 RPM. Watch the video
Where can I buy 45 and 33⅓ RPM records from Analogue Productions in Europe?
At Michael 45, a record shop in Germany. We carry both editions and ship to Austria and the rest of the EU, and to Switzerland, Norway and the UK; from two records, shipping is free within Germany and most EU countries. Current prices are on the product pages. More: Buying Analogue Productions records in Europe.
Dive deep or just let it play? You will find both here.
