The compact disc never really disappeared—it just stopped being the center of attention. But lately, there’s been a shift. Across both new releases and secondhand markets, CDs are quietly gaining ground again, at least according to a recent study by Soundcharts.com, especially with listeners between the ages of 13 and 38. Part of this is economic. Part of it is technological. And part of it is cultural.
Streaming has made access frictionless. But that same convenience comes with tradeoffs: low-resolution audio, shifting availability, and a lack of physical ownership. For a generation raised on infinite libraries, there’s something increasingly valuable about owning a tangible copy of music—something you can hold, rip, share, resell, or display.
From a purely technical standpoint, CDs still offer one of the cleanest, most consistent formats for audio playback. While most streaming platforms rely on compressed files to save bandwidth, CDs play uncompressed 16-bit/44.1kHz audio—still the baseline for professional distribution. Lossless streaming plans exist, but they’re limited by Bluetooth bottlenecks, platform restrictions, and inconsistent support across devices. CDs don’t rely on internet speeds, monthly subscriptions, or app updates. They play every time, exactly the way they were authored.
CDs Provide More Than Audio: They Offer Stability, Collectibility, and Profit Margins
If you’re an artist, the appeal of CDs has less to do with nostalgia and more to do with control. Pressing a small run of CDs is still relatively affordable, especially compared to vinyl. You don’t need to press thousands to make it worthwhile. You can customize the artwork, add extras like lyric booklets or download cards, and handle distribution directly. The packaging gives you more surface area to communicate your message and identity—something you completely lose on a streaming platform interface.
Even in major markets, the numbers back it up. According to the RIAA, CD revenue in the U.S. reached $541 million in 2024, a 1% increase from the year before despite a 12% drop in units shipped. The conclusion? Fans are paying more per unit and placing higher value on physical formats. In Japan—the world’s second-largest music market—39% of recorded music revenue in 2023 still came from CDs, aided by industry regulations that allow labels to set minimum retail prices and prevent discounting.
That kind of price protection simply doesn’t exist in the West, where CDs are often found in clearance bins or marked down aggressively by big-box retailers.
But that bargain bin market is also part of what’s driving the resurgence. Younger fans are picking up stacks of secondhand CDs on eBay, in thrift stores, and at record fairs in the same way that people from my generation comb through vinyl sections at Goodwill. These are collectors and casual fans who want to build a library that won’t vanish when a licensing deal expires. And the economics make sense.
So for anyone thinking CDs are outdated, it’s worth reevaluating. They’re portable. They’re permanent. And they’re one of the few formats that still reward both the listener and the artist.
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