Overall, what's better? Black vinyl, or colored vinyl? Are they the same?

[Carlo1208]

Does the fact that a vinyl is colored mean that it's quality is reduced compared to the black vinyls? Most of the albums I collect are death metal albums. Lot's of the they have different colors available. I've collected white, purple, yellow, blue, red, orange, hot pink etc. In fact, most of my vinyls are colored. Do you think it's a good idea to start collecting black vinyls instead?
I know for a fact that picture vinyls sound incredibly terrible. Had to learn that the hard way when I brought one for $75 and was severely disappointed.

 

[darkblue94]

Whatever color they may be, they are not called vinyls.http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php

 

[Carlo1208]

Oh. Sorry. That's just what I like to call them for some reasons. Easier to say and type. Records I mean.

 

[darkblue94]

Picture discs are for looking at, not listening to.

 

[Ken Boyd]

When it comes to vinyl black is best.

 

[dosmalo]

When it comes to vinyl black is best.

Agreed. It helps me see the dirt better so I can get rid of it.

 

[cubdog]

Oh. Sorry. That's just what I like to call them for some reasons. Easier to say and type. Records I mean.

He only meant it's vinyl and vinyls plural.

 

[WaynerN]

I just bought the Cars box set ($99 for the 6 lps) which are on colored vinyl. They sound better then the MOFI that I have. There is no difference. Sometimes with newer pressings, you will not have a choice.

 

[jobrewer1983]

Black.

Look for the 180g when searching for new albums.

The vinyl in colored discs is a little different material. Still vinyl, just not the same compound.

 

[jobrewer1983]

I just bought the Cars box set ($99 for the 6 lps) which are on colored vinyl. They sound better then the MOFI that I have. There is no difference. Sometimes with newer pressings, you will not have a choice.

Beg to differ, they use different compounds to create the colors.

A standard disc, is not colored black to give it the black color. Colored vinyl is just that, colored. Meaning the process of creating the disc is different.

Will the normal listener notice the sound diff? Probably not.

Nice on the Cars box set! I had moving in stereo blasting last night. Such a great song.

Kind Regards,
John

 

[JoeESP9]

He only meant it's vinyl and vinyls plural.

The plural of vinyl is vinyl.

 

[savatage1973]

Vinyl (per se) is not black anyways. Neither is the rubber your car tires are made from. They are "colored" black with carbon black. So (to me) color is not really relevant, but it certainly impacts sales prices. Picture discs do seem to suck (in general), but they are collectible if not playable.

 

[Tom Brennan]

Calling a record a vinyl was inevitable once enthusiasts began calling records in general vinyl. I'm cool with it.

I never heard a difference between black and colored LPs as I never owned both types for the same recording. I never saw any colored 45s.

 

[Djcoolray]

Sounds the same to me...

 

[dcmfan]

I found this to be enlightening since it came from a record pressing company:

http://www.gottagrooverecords.com/vinyl-colors/

Black is actually a color added to the PVC to make the record that color. There are notes at this link about what this company has found with respect to sound quality and color.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Virgin white PVC records are the best. These are not common and were a product available from some of the quality records direct to disc or whatever back in the day. The addition of the carbon black or anything to color the PVC is not an improvement to the mix. Clear colored records are not PVC and that is inferior, too.

 

[Ken Boyd]

i have seen talks about this issue with the owners of major pressing plants regarding this very issue and they all claimed that they are getting better with getting good results with color vinyl but in their opinion they were still not able to get as quite a pressing on colored vinyl as on black vinyl. Not my opinion but theirs.

 

[just dave]

The only difference is the taste.

 

[cubdog]

The plural of vinyl is vinyl.

I'm saying the OP was using vinyls as the plural. Oh WTH. I should know better anyway. I don't even like those damn scratched up dust traps. Give me an old fashioned CD any day.

 

[Sam Cogley]

Picture discs are for looking at, not listening to.

There's plenty of perfectly listenable picture discs out there.

Black.

Look for the 180g when searching for new albums.

The vinyl in colored discs is a little different material. Still vinyl, just not the same compound.

False x3. Weight nor color has anything to do with the quality of the vinyl, and vinyl is the same compound, no matter what dyes are added.

Beg to differ, they use different compounds to create the colors.

A standard disc, is not colored black to give it the black color. Colored vinyl is just that, colored. Meaning the process of creating the disc is different.

Will the normal listener notice the sound diff? Probably not.

Nice on the Cars box set! I had moving in stereo blasting last night. Such a great song.

Kind Regards,
John

Incorrect. Colored vinyl, no matter what color it is (including white) is dyed. Pure PVC is mostly transparent.

Virgin white PVC records are the best. These are not common and were a product available from some of the quality records direct to disc or whatever back in the day. The addition of the carbon black or anything to color the PVC is not an improvement to the mix. Clear colored records are not PVC and that is inferior, too.

Still incorrect, no matter how many times it gets repeated. No LP is pure PVC, anyway. It's a mix of PVC and PVA.