The label “dubstep” is so ambiguous. I have heard many people suggest that dubstep should be redefined into subgenres for the many different styles of the genre that exist. Many argue against this, and I can see why, it’s definitely cool to have so many different styles within one genre, but dang is it hard to get people to know what specific style you’re talking about! I mean, I’ve met many people who like dubstep, only to find that we’re not really into the same style. Also, shows that have dubstep on the ticket may not end up being the vibe you were looking for, it can be the difference between have a chilled out or a crazy night.

For me, I refer to them in my head as such, but please note, these labels do often intersect, they are not to be taken as concrete divisions at all:

• Minimal: 
  This is like the style of most of the stuff that came out from South London in the early 2000′s. Focus on an aesthetic sub-bass accompanied by a smooth drum track. Nothing too jarring to the ears. Plenty of producers that are keeping this style interesting, but it can be very boring, monotonous, and repetitive. Often very emotional, definitely chill, minimal, ambient dubstep.
  Artists: Digital Mystikz, Martyn, TRG, Burial, and (most) Skream
• Reggae:
  You know what I’m talking about. Dubstep that’s got a Jamaican man singing sweetly to you over some synthed out reggae groove…or just a straight reggae track with some synths and drums added.
  Artists: All I know really are Kromestar and F1, don’t listen to much of this style.
• 2-Step/Garage (formerly Housey / “Dancey”):
  There is more pronounced 4/4 bass action (be it the kick drum or sub-bass). It’s got more of a dancier pulse than other dubstep, feels housey when it’s less minimal.
  Artists: (some) Rusko, Headhunter, Mala
• Grimey:
  This stuff just features that majorly detuned, fat, grime bass synth. Usually focusing on that bass sound with lots of repetition. More of a focus on mid-range bass sounds than the minimal stuff mentioned above. Slowed down grime, with some flair. I’ve noticed they always supplement with some either drum & bass or reggae sounds to keep it “soundin dubstep”, haha!
  Artists: Plastician, (most) Tes La Rok, Crissy Criss
• Techy / Filthy / Gritty / Crunk: (aka the SHIT)
  This is my favorite style of dubstep. Basically, this is the very techy-sounding, drum & bass influenced dubstep. Focus is on the synth sounds and often with multiple synthlines rhythmically playing off of one another. Basically everything that I’ve heard so far from the Audiofreaks label sounds like this.
  Artists: (some) Caspa, Bar 9, Emalkay, Ruckspin, Reso, (newer) Stenchman

Hopefully that was confusing enough!

Of course, not all of the artists I listen will adhere completely to each of those labels I made, but I’m just trying to give you an idea of what I mean, more specifically than just describing the sound in words.

I appreciate all styles of dubstep, even those that don’t fall into these categories, and know that there definitely are outliers! But I just wanted to lay out my thoughts on the issue and explain what I’m into. I’d rather spin, listen, and dance to grimey and techy dubstep. This stuff captures an “epic” feeling, it’s also got some insane sounds I’ve only heard in drum & bass, but they are so much crazier at half-step, just because there’s a greater focus on the bass than the drum rhythm. I pretty much never listen to housey dubstep. Sometimes I’ll listen to especially well done minimal tracks, such as stuff by Burial. I do enjoy reggae dubstep, but probably won’t spin it at shows, just because I don’t listen to enough of it.

I definitely recommend checking all these artists out for some dubstep perspective.

I’m listening to Bar 9 at the moment, “Murda Sound” is SO sick. YouTube it!

Edit: I brought YouTube to you, enjoy!

Edit (2/5/09): I’m going to go ahead and change the “housey” classification to 2-step/garage. I hadn’t listened to much 2-step when I first posted this, and I feel that is much more appropriate.