News

Market research confirms importance of sound quality to music buying public (30/7/2004)

A survey of the UK's music buying public conducted by the David Lewis Consultancy and commissioned by Sony, Philips and Universal Music has revealed that 'sound quality' is our biggest priority when it comes to choosing how we listen to our favourite artists. Seventy-five per cent of 800 people questioned said that sound quality was most important to them, whilst a third enjoy high quality music in the home but are less fussy when on the move.

An overwhelming 80% of consumers questioned say that sound quality is important to them and they like their music 'to be crystal clear, free from noise and interference'. Listening to music in multi-channel surround sound is a much higher preference among those aged 18-24 (66%) than those aged 45-54 (26%).

These finds are music to the ears of the founder members of the SA-CD Project Team who are working to establish the format as the natural successor to the Compact Disc. Jos Bruins, Director of Marketing, Philips Electronics, said: "From vinyl and cassette to CD, and from CD to even more advanced formats such as SA-CD, consumers have become accustomed to improvements in their listening experience. This is not just about removing the scratches and hisses; this is about people listening to music in a creative three-dimensional way or as a home concert experiencing the artist as if in the same room. Due to technical limitations called 'mono' and 'stereo', this has never been possible before."

Just over 40% of those interviewed said they only ever listen to music on the highest audio equipment they could afford, with a third saying they want high quality at home but are less fussy on the move. Taken as a comparison, more men that women (47% versus 34%) said they only ever listen on the highest audio equipment they can afford, but more women than men (37% versus 25%) said they want high quality at home but are less fussy on the move.

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