“Everyday Fidelity”: Analyzing Sound Quality in Ubiquitous Listening Practices

Studies have suggested that consumers of recorded music favor portability over high fidelity. In recent years, wireless technologies–such as Bluetooth headphones and speakers–have become a popular way to listen to music. The technology can be contextualized within “ubiquitous listening,” which describes how music is, for many listeners, not a standalone activity. This article examines wireless headphones and speakers to consider how “ubiquitous listening” practices shape our desires for portability and fidelity. The article proposes the term “everyday fidelity” to describe how listeners might seek out distinct levels of fidelity based on their activities at one point in time.