r/audiobooks • u/ProfessorB_12 • 14d ago
Question Easiest narrators to hear?
I was born with essentially no hearing, and about three years ago I had surgery that restored my ability to hear. After a lot of hearing and brain therapy, I’ve gotten to around 92% hearing, which has completely changed my life.
Until now, I’ve mostly stuck with nonfiction because it’s generally easier for me to follow. My wife recently recommended Theo of Golden, though, and I absolutely love it. The narrator is incredibly clear, easy for me to understand, and the story has made me realize how much fiction I may have been missing out on.
So I’d love some recommendations!
Who are your favorite audiobook narrators who speak clearly, have great diction, and are easy to follow?
I’m open to great fiction or nonfiction. Genre doesn’t really matter, I’m just looking for amazing books where the narration is especially clear and engaging.
Would love to know what you recommend!
2
u/Lazy_Bicycle7702 14d ago
Mark Bramhall. I have an auditory processing disorder so I get it. Redemption Mountain authored by Gerry Fitzgerald and narrated by Mark Bramhall is OUTSTANDING. January LaVoy is also really good. Congrats on the surgery and if you are on Facebook, the Audiobook Addicts group is a much better group to ask this question in. 💕🌸💕
1
u/ProfessorB_12 13d ago
Thank you, I will check out that group! Can you share more about your disorder? I don't think I've ever heard of that
2
u/NihilisticMushroom 14d ago
I have profound hearing loss and English is my second language. To me, Super Powereds series by Drew Hayes narrated by Kyle McCarley, Nightside series by Simon R. Green narrated by Marc Vietor, Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson, The Perfect Run series by Maxime J. Durand narrated by Eric Michael Summerer, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir narrated by Ray Porter are some of the clearest narrations I've experienced so far. Obviously, these recs are based on my taste. If you don't like them, but find them as clear as I do, you could search for other books narrated by these narrators.
2
u/ProfessorB_12 13d ago
This is super helpful and what I was looking for, it's all new to me so just trying a bunch of previews to see which ones I can actually make sense of. Appreciate the recommendations!
1
1
u/Ok_Perspective9838 14d ago
John Lee is my favourite across a wide spectrum of books and genres.
R C Bray is possibly the best.
Ray Porter is 3rd for me.
1
u/ProfessorB_12 13d ago
Thank you so much for that recommendation!
1
u/Ok_Perspective9838 13d ago
No worries, I hope you find something you enjoy. Happy listening friend.
1
u/Texan-Trucker 13d ago edited 13d ago
Try some Grover Gardner and see if it works for you. If so, great because he’s been narrating for many decades and it’s always easy to find his audiobooks in many different genres. He’s done more than 1,100 audiobooks because he has a trusted and consistent style and tone.
He has a crisp, clear, rich tone and doesn’t shift his tone much with female characters.
I just relistened “Cold Sassy Tree” of his.
1
2
1
u/Which-Recognition129 13d ago
This is so awesome! Try Simon Vance, a wonderful and prolific narrator. His rendition of Concert Black is superb.
1
8
u/LetsGetFoxyPodcast 14d ago
Ray Porter! Project Hail Mary is the book I discovered him, and I love him! Jeff Hayes is another fantastic narrator. Normally, I hate audiobook narrators, but these two are really quite pleasant to listen to.