Measuring Pandora Radio

[admin]

If you haven't heard of Pandora, you should. Pandora is a customizable radio service that is mostly free with commercials or $36 a year for commercial free plus additional features. Have you ever wondered which is better - voting up or down a song? Tom did and he designed an experiment to test it. The next step is up to you.

Discuss "Measuring Pandora Radio" here. Read the article.

 

[GlocksRock]

Thanks for doing this... I like Pandora, but I just recently started using Slacker radio as well, and the verdict is still out on which I like better.

 

[sholling]

What's the sound quality like?

 

[davidtwotrees]

I'm not all that persnickity about my Pandora.
I will say this- I think it is a fantastic product.
I have streaming capabilities on my Samsung BD2550- Netflix and Pandora.
The SQ on Pandora is just fine for background listening, which is what I use it for.
Two Trees Up for Pandora!
Now, as to the PQ on my Netflix..............

 

[skizzerflake]

Interesting. I've only used Pandora from my IPhone (they have a free "app") for generic background music, but for what it is, it mostly gets its tune selection right and the fact that I can plug my phone into something and have an endless music source is great. I am surprised sometimes, however, when I "create" a channel and the performer that I name it for is NOT in the first tune.

The sound isn't great, but I'm not expecting audiophile, just music from a period without interruption, which it does well.

 

[T2T]

I stream Pandora through my Squeezebox devices. Though I've never "fine tuned" my music to the level that this discussion provoked, it does seem like a great investment of time to "build" a station that's somewhat customized to you.

In regards to the quality of Pandora, I think the sound quality I get is a notch or two better than the sound quality I was getting during my trial of Sirius radio. Mainly though, Pandora has opened up my vision to a lot of artists out there that I never would have listened to before I heard them on Pandora. From there, I can go out an buy CDs or listen to further samples from the album to see if I want to buy the whole thing.

I don't use Pandora for critical listening. 60% of the time, I use it each evening as I'm winding down to fall asleep, or if I'm taking an afternoon nap. The other 40% of the time, I'll put it on for some ambient music if we have guests over or if I'm doing work around our house.

 

[StphNieuw]

I play it at home via my blueray player, at work via my computer and on my blackberry when I travel. Overall it sounds great, as another person had mentioned, its not audiophile grade but a lot better than my satellite radio or similar online channels. I purchased the $36 year subscription and absolutely love it. The subscription also allows 192k streaming so it certainly is comparable if not better than the average mp3. Overall I'm super happy. Just my 2 cents.

-Stephan

 

[gene]

I've found Pandora to offer the highest sound quality out of any streaming service I tested. I use it daily on my computer system and my family room system. It's as close to CD quality as you are going to find IMO.

 

[bigbassdave]

I also purchased the "Pandora One" service that lets you stream at a higher bit rate. Sounds great to me for what it is. For only $36 a year I think its a pretty good deal.

 

[patnshan]

I've been paying for pandora one happily for a couple years. Absolutely worth the cash. I listed daily in the office and on the weekends at night on the patio. I go way over the 40 hours per month. Honestly, I'd pay more than they charge. It's that good.

Pat

 

[patnshan]

Thanks for doing this... I like Pandora, but I just recently started using Slacker radio as well, and the verdict is still out on which I like better.

I like slacker too, but absolutely hate the stupid obnoxiously loud commercials. Can't stand it so I don't listen much.

Pat

 

[krzywica]

I've found Pandora to offer the highest sound quality out of any streaming service I tested. I use it daily on my computer system and my family room system. It's as close to CD quality as you are going to find IMO.

Really? I thought the free Pandora service only had 128kbps mono transcoding. IMO Slacker had better quality for the short time that I tried it. I use Last.FM every now and then but I usually just stream from my server at home, that way I can pick whatever I want and determine the quality that I want (I listen at 320kbps as my music gets transcoded in real time).

 

[palmharbor]

i tunes radio is free

If you go to itunes radio...the music is catagorized by type of music
and there are at least 150 stations from around the world. I use "wiretap pro" and record what I like and it is saved into iTunes. Its simple, free
and you can find the music you like....did I say it was free???

 

[bac522]

I'm cheap too, but for a measly $36 bucks a year for zero commercials, unlimited monthly play, and 192kbps bit rate is was worth it! After upgrading to the paid service I found myself asking "why did I wait so long?!?!?"

This is definitely the way to go! Why anyone would buy a song now a days is beyond me...well unless you need to listen to that same song over and over and over constantly! Pandora does a good job of playing your favorite songs, but like a radio station you never know when it's going to play, but it's playing so many of my favorite songs/artist it's even better!