* Poor sound quality. 78 RPM records had a relatively low fidelity compared to later formats. This was due to the fact that they were made with a relatively coarse groove, which limited the amount of information that could be recorded.
* Limited playing time. 78 RPM records could only hold about four minutes of music per side. This made them unsuitable for longer pieces of music, such as symphonies or operas.
* Inconvenience. 78 RPM records were relatively heavy and bulky, and they required a special player. This made them less convenient than later formats, such as LPs and cassettes.
* Cost. 78 RPM records were relatively expensive to produce, compared to later formats. This was due to the fact that they required a more specialized manufacturing process.
As a result of these factors, 78 RPM records were gradually phased out in favor of other formats in the 1950s and 1960s.