Montreal radio stations sound quality comparative test (2009)

As promised at our demonstration of the full potential of FM transmissions at the 2004 Festival Son & Image, we have done our annual comparative test to find the best FM radio station in Montreal.

Radio Ville-Marie, transmitting at a frequency of 91.3 MHz, wins hands down in our latest sound quality comparative test (2009) of FM radio stations in Montreal.

During musical programs, the station is characterized by a good frequency response and a quasi-complete absence of dynamic compression which allows the listener appreciate the dynamic range of the program material. The maximum modulation level appears to be adjusted at -1.0dB from the absolute maximum allowed modulation level by Industry Canada. This allows for lower distortion levels at the transmitter and at the reception by the tuner. During dynamic range verifications, depending upon the musical material being transmitted, we have seen modulation level variations in excess of 50dB, something exceptional compared to the majority of the other radio stations which were limited to around 10dB (CHOM FM, Q92, Radio Canada, Radio Classique & Co.)

From a sound quality standpoint, the station is very pleasing to listen to, with an unusually wide dynamic range, if you like the music being transmitted. The station transmits various musical types and styles including serious classical music and jazz.

The transmitter is not the most powerful and depending on your geographical position you might have to position your antenna for the strongest RF signal and minimum multipath.

Although adequate results may be obtained by internal T type antennas, for the max level and min. multipath of the RF signal, max S/N ratio, max. separation and min. distortion of the tuner, we suggest the use of an external FM multi-element Yagi antenna.

FM Yagi antennas are available at Audiodoctor007.

Audiophiles and music lovers, Radio Ville-Marie is the only radio station in Montreal which allows you to listen to high fidelity music on FM and appreciate the performance of your tuner.

We hope that Radio Ville-Marie will continue this quality level of transmission and that it will not fall into the temptation of dynamically compressing and equalizing the music being transmitted as all the other local radio stations.

Happy listening!

Audiodoctor007 technical commitee.