Which Decade had the best SOUND QUALITY?

[Ellymay]

It’s like asking who is the best Golfer. Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Scotty Scheffler. Different era’s, different equipment. Who can say which one is truly the best? Different equipment, different music. 50’s Jazz sounds best on my tube amp. I know that. Modern music sounds really good on my newer stuff.

 

[Mwdan]

I wouldn't have a clue because I haven't had the opportunity to listen to the best of best in any of the time periods.

 

[onanysunday]

I'd say late seventies to early eighties -for best FM and vinyl sound quality.

 

[jobrewer1983]

WOW looks like im the only one who picked the 50's.

I do love a good mono tube amp! I love 50's gear, 60s too but love me a nice early tube amp!

 

[DesertRatt]

My hearing was probably at it's best in 1965----ergo, I'm going with the crazy '60s, baby!

 

[Thorsten R.]

To me it´s clear. Good 70´s gear (especially amps and speaker crossovers) refurbished with modern (film-)capacitors. And of course the turntables. Oh wait - my favourite is from 1965 - the Dual 1019.

 

[Mart Mccall]

I voted 'don't know' but was tempted to vote 70s. There's something very listenable about the best of the '70s speakers. 'But Sound quality' isn't defined in the o/p.

I suppose if we take a technical definition as in fidelity to the signal then we have to start with the 80s and compact disc so that rules out the '70s and before.

No doubt that the best speakers have improved in technical terms even since the 1990s plus digital EQ is now cheap which can be a big help with a bad acoustic. So in those terms I'd have to say the present decade is the best for technical sound quality. But for just enjoying music I'd say (late) 1970s.