Ed Lansink
180 Gram vinyl has many benefits – these heavier records offer increased strength and durability which increases their lifespan. Besides these thicker records feeling nicer, they also provide more stable playback with less interference and wobble, resulting in increased sound quality.
Although, there are many misconceptions about this format. This guide explores the differences and benefits created by heavier vinyl.
180-gram audiophile vinyl is a type of 12” record that weighs 180 grams. They use the exact same PVC material, although in a larger quantity, resulting in slightly thicker records.
Not only do vinyl records come in a range of sizes, but you can also find them in a variety of weights. An album’s vinyl pressings are even often sold in a range of weights – with LPs weighing 180g and above being labeled as ‘audiophile’ level. Record companies often reissue the same album in heavier weights to suggest improved sound quality. These vinyl releases are also sometimes cut as a double LP, running at 45rpm rather than 33, which improves quality just because of the increased amount of audio that can be stored on each side.
Because of the effect of weight on vinyl (explained below), heavier vinyl is suggested to provide increased sound quality, making it more attractive to audiophiles – people who strive for the highest quality audio they can achieve.
180-Gram records are still made from the same original master tapes and will have essentially identical grooves. The main difference in perceived sound quality comes from the heavier vinyl creating different physics.
On average, most 12” vinyl records weigh between 120 and 150g. This is the typical heaviness for most releases in the last 50 years. It’s a good balance of resource efficiency and thickness.
That being said, you will find many lighter records in the 90g region that were good for mass production but caused great sound degradation more easily and is more prone to warping or breaking.
Most modern records are pressed between 150 and 180g. 180 and 200g weights are popular for audiophile reissues, although comparatively less common than standard weights.
There is a lot of confusion over the benefits (and their origins) of heavyweight records, and several misconceptions exist out there.
Many people believe that just because the records are thicker, they can have deeper grooves. This is actually not the case, the groove depth is identical to thinner records, and they are cut from the same original source material.
Some people also think the LP quality is improved because of different mastering techniques or even the way it’s recorded. Whilst this can be the case if it’s a re-mastered copy, often, if records have multiple weights of the same edition, they are actually cut from the exact same master disc, so the improvements come from other areas rather than mastering or pressing.
Heavy records do feature increased sound quality, although the reason for this is due to the physics of a thicker record rather than any differences in the grooves or stylus interaction themself. This section explores the reason why.
There are both subjective (personal) and objective (scientific) advantages to heavyweight vinyl records.
Due to the increased thickness, heavier records can withstand environmental threats better than thinner pressings. Although the grooves do wear at the same rate, this means they are less likely to get bent or warped, which increases their lifespan. That also means they’re more likely to retain their value over time.
There are mechanical benefits to the increased weight. Thicker vinyl provides a more consistent, stable platform for the needle and cartridge. With increased stability, this can slightly reduce the amount of interference the needle picks up during playback. This is similar in practice to using a thicker, more isolating platter mat.
The increased weight makes vinyl records feel nicer, which in a way, makes them feel more valuable. This is subjective, but if you compare a thicker album to a thinner one, the heavier cut has a more attractive feel. The record provides a more stable platform for the needle.
A heavier 180-gram vinyl pressing can decrease the wow and flutter experienced when listening to music. Meaning the platter can move at a more continuous, stable speed thanks to the increased mass, which results in a more accurate and consistent playback speed. The increased mass means the record is more resistant to physical interference on a micro level, which also contributes.
It’s not all perfect: There are a couple of downsides to 180-gram vinyl.
Thicker records can alter the tone of records and the cartridge due to a difference in Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA). Because thicker records are taller, it changes the angle at which the tonearm and stylus meet the groove. This can change the way a record sounds due to the altered contact. This can make either a positive or negative change, so you may need to recalibrate your turntable slightly. Realistically, you’re unlikely to want ti
When labels release a 180-gram pressing, it often costs more than the standard version. This isn’t necessarily due to the materials or manufacturing but mostly due to the marketing and rarity of the vinyl, which increases the perceived value.
This isn’t a huge problem, but the increased weight can cause more wear on the platter mechanics, which could theoretically degrade the turntable quicker. Although this will be minor and basically negligible.
There are many rumors as to why heavyweight vinyl has a better sound – from more detailed, deeper grooves to higher-quality materials. The truth is – any improvement simply comes from the increased weight rather than anything special about the record surface.
Whilst the sonic differences are only one benefit of a thicker record, there are a couple of reasons why the weight results in a better tone. The main reason is increased stability and isolation.
Thinner records are more prone to picking up unwanted vibration interference, which distorts the frequency balance. Heavier vinyl is more isolating, so the stylus tip gets a more stable contact with the groove and provides a cleaner, less interrupted performance. The thicker vinyl absorbs more vibrations, preventing it from being picked up by the stylus. It also helps to reduce motor noise.
However, compared to better mastering and manufacturing quality, increased record weight won’t have nearly as big an impact on sound quality.
There is a lot of debate in the vinyl community over the exact differences in sound between 180-gram vinyl and other weights. There is a commonly implied quality standard increase in this heavier format. Although this isn’t necessarily true from the start of a record’s life. Whilst the increased thickness preserves the sound quality for longer, 140g records can have audio quality just as good as 180g.
Often there are misconceptions over the reason why, but there can be a perceptible difference between the same LP at different weights. Although, you may not hear any differences between two freshly pressed versions of the same album.
One source of these rumors is that often 180g vinyl is often re-issued years after the original pressing. This means they end up using a different manufacturing process to the original, and often even a different mastering process. Sometimes they are even made in different pressing plants. All of these periphery factors improve the sound, although the increase isn’t explicitly due to the weight or any change in the recorded audio.
For example, take the 2016 180g re-issue of The Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd.
The original 1973 version was released as a 135g cut. Other than the difference in weight, there are many factors as to why the newer version could sound better. In this case, Bernie Grundman (a renowned mastering engineer) is credited, and he’s known to be able to increase quality and detail in reproduction. His involvement alone made a much bigger difference to the end result than the 45g in additional vinyl.
Think about how far technology has evolved over the last 40 years. The mastering techniques are more developed, audio equipment is more accurate and powerful, and engineers can now access digital tools. Whilst there are arguments that the early cuts are closer to the original intentions of the artist, the counterpoint is that we now have increased quality, which gives us a more accurate representation of the original sound waves, with less interference and a better signal-to-noise ratio.
The true answer to this question will vary across types of record collectors. If you are a new collector and only have a basic setup, the extra cost of a 180 may not be worth it.
However, if you are an audiophile with a decent setup, and a passion for collecting rarer, limited editions with a better sound that are made to last, then it probably is worth it. 180-gram vinyl cuts will last longer than their thinner counterparts, so you could say they are an overall better investment. They will retain a higher value for longer, they sound (a tiny bit) better, and they are less likely to become damaged.
The prestige and rarity of 180gs is another attractive factor for some people, particularly ‘traders’ who plan on selling the record later. That being said, often, the differences are so subtle that your average collector wouldn’t necessarily hear anything. Having said that, there definitely are benefits due to the increased mass: They’re less prone to warping and add a bit of stability because they’re heavier and stiffer.
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I'm a passionate vinyl collector, analog fan, and lifetime enthusiast of most things audio.
On VinyliQ I help fellow vinyl collectors enjoy their hobby to the max, sharing my knowledge about and passion for vinyl.