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Why do CDs get such a bad rap? After all, it wasn’t that long ago that we were lining up at stores like Tower Records and FYE (and even Target) to be the first ones to get their hands on a new album or limited-edition DigiPak from a favorite artist or group. But as digital music began to creep into the market in the early 2000s, CDs began losing their luster, with jewel cases and physical discs replaced by iPods and MP3s, and eventually, the rise of streaming.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), CD album sales in the United States have dropped by 94 percent since peaking in 2000. That year saw almost 950 million albums sold, led by new multi-platinum sets from artists like NSYNC and Britney Spears, and the continued success of albums from The Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, Shania Twain and Santana, among others. In 2018, “only” 52 million albums were sold, and only one — The Greatest Showman soundtrack — sold more than a million units.
But even with the success of streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music the compact disc format continues to live on, with all major albums still getting a CD release. There’s the tactile quality of the disc (and the accompanying booklet), of course, but CDs also deliver more reliability and consistency when it comes to your music. The crystal clear sound can’t be beat, and unlike streaming, you never have to worry about a bad connection or buffering.
To get the most out of your CD collection, you’ll want to upgrade your listening device. Portable CD players and boomboxes were fine for college, but to truly optimize your audio experience you’ll need an actual, full-size CD player.
These sets we’ve found deliver on all levels, whether you’re an audio enthusiast, a DJ or just looking to update your home audio set-up. They’re great for mixing and recording too, with a ton of features you’d typically only find in a professional studio. And despite what you may think, these units aren’t that big either, slotting cleanly onto a bookshelf, side table or on a mount (Note: these units come with just the CD player so you’ll want to pick up a decent set of speakers to go along with it).
Pick up one of these CD players and recorders to put together your next mixtape, create a party playlist, transfer audio from one format to another or just to listen to your favorite album the way the artist intended.
It’s time to dust off your CD collection and give those discs a spin. After all, if vinyl can make a comeback, the little aluminum-coated plastic disc is worth investing in again too.
