The short answer
For practical purposes, a good vinyl record played on a decent system covers roughly the range of human hearing, commonly given as about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Some sources claim records can carry content above that, and specialized cuts and systems have done so, but that is not what you normally hear from an ordinary pressing. The real limits are not a single number but a set of trade-offs made when the record is cut.
Human hearing vs the format
Human hearing is usually described as spanning about 20 Hz to 20 kHz in young listeners, with sensitivity at the extremes much lower than in the middle, and the upper limit generally declining with age. A format that reaches this range covers what most people can hear. A CD’s sampling rate allows frequencies up to just under 22 kHz. For a broader comparison, see vinyl vs digital.
How the groove limits bass
Low frequencies produce large movements in the groove. Too much deep bass would require wider grooves, which shortens playing time, or could make the stylus jump out. For this reason, mastering engineers often limit very low frequencies, and they usually keep the lowest bass in the centre (mono) so the stylus does not have to move up and down significantly. Records can still reproduce deep bass, but how much depends on the cut.
How treble is limited
High frequencies create very small, fast groove movements. At high levels these can be difficult for the stylus to follow, which can cause distortion. Engineers may control harsh high-frequency content, such as sibilant vocals and cymbals, when cutting a master. The cartridge, stylus shape and setup also affect how well treble is traced.
The inner groove effect
A record turns at a constant speed, so the groove passes the stylus more slowly near the centre than near the edge. The same musical detail is squeezed into a smaller length of groove, which makes high frequencies harder to track and can increase distortion toward the end of a side. Engineers sometimes place quieter or less demanding songs near the end of a side because of this.
RIAA equalization
Records are cut with bass reduced and treble boosted, following a standardized curve called RIAA equalization. This lets the grooves be narrower for bass and helps reduce surface noise at high frequencies. The phono preamp reverses the curve on playback, restoring a balanced sound. This is why a turntable needs a phono stage and cannot simply be plugged into a normal line input.
Vinyl vs CD range
A CD is specified to carry frequencies up to about 22 kHz, with a very low noise floor and a larger theoretical dynamic range. Vinyl has a narrower dynamic range in practice, often cited as roughly 60 to 70 dB, though figures vary. Its frequency response can be fairly broad across the audible range, but its bass handling and inner groove behaviour are less consistent than a CD’s. As always, mastering plays a large part in how a release sounds. For another format comparison, see cassettes vs vinyl.
Can humans hear 30 Hz?
Many people can hear, and often feel, a 30 Hz tone if it is loud enough and reproduced by speakers or headphones capable of it. Sensitivity falls at low frequencies, so such tones need more energy to be audible than midrange sounds do. Whether your system can play 30 Hz depends on the speakers and the room.
What is the “forbidden frequency”?
This is an internet term rather than a recognized technical standard, and it is used for different things. Claims about a special frequency should be treated with caution. Nothing in how vinyl is cut makes a particular frequency off limits, apart from the practical bass and treble limits described above.
How do you tell if a record is 33 or 45 rpm?
Check the label, which usually states the speed. As a general guide, 12-inch LPs are usually 33 1/3 rpm and 7-inch singles are usually 45 rpm, but there are exceptions, including 12-inch records cut at 45 rpm. If it is not labelled, play it and listen. A record at the wrong speed sounds obviously too slow and low, or too fast and high.
Can vinyl last 100 years?
A record can potentially survive for a very long time if it is kept clean, stored upright, protected from heat and played with a good stylus. Plenty of old records are still playable. However, lifespan depends on how a record is stored and played, so no specific number can be guaranteed. See pros and cons of vinyl records for more on durability, or transfer vinyl to CD to keep a digital copy of a favourite.