We've got em! The Beatles Box sets are here...

TONEPUB · « **on:** 27 Aug 2009, 07:44 pm »

Well, we've been biting our nails for a month, but the box arrived on Monday and here's Bob Gendron's review:

http://www.tonepublications.com

Mid way down the home page.

I'm sure we'll have many conflicting opinions, but I agree with Bob on the overall, EXCELLENT sound quality. Still comparing to a few mint originals, which will be covered when our issue goes live at the end of the month.

Let the discussion begin (again)

konut · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Aug 2009, 11:04 pm »

Righteous!

ted_b · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Aug 2009, 12:44 am »

I guess Bob liked it?

Can't wait. Then maybe EMi/Capitol will sell us the 24/192 remastered library!

orthobiz · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 08:36 pm »

Pre-ordered both from Barnes & Noble. Something like a 10 percent AAA discount and a 15 percent August discount. So both came in under 400 with shipping & tax. Just hope they actually deliver. TONEPUB hangs out on stevehoffman.tv and there's a frenzy over there about these things.

I'm looking forward to going through the discs album by album with my teenagers.

Paul

timind · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 09:44 pm »

After reading the review I'm in for sure. aa
My birthday is coming up and the mono mix is on my list.

ted_b · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 09:53 pm »

Some good reviews on Hoffman site, including a somewhat insiders take. For those not buying the sets....must haves include White Album (stereo) and Abbey Road (stereo), with Past Masters (Stereo) and Let It be (stereo) in similar class (White Album is blowing people away). Revolver is second tier (good improvements, just not jaw dropping) while Pepper seems to be getting the only negatives (too strong a word) with some limiting perceived.

Not huge kudos to the Mono set, but good nonetheless.

pbrstreetgang · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 10:12 pm »

Thanks Ted, I was thinking of getting the Mono sets as thats what they were originally mastered as. Am I better off just going stereo again?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 10:46 pm »

Ted....
Wonder how "Let It Be Naked"(Link) will hold up to the new remastered (9/9/09) "Let It Be" ?

You read anything ? Thanks....

ted_b · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 11:15 pm »

Skinny seems to be: If you own no mono versions, then for sure get them (mono sets are sold out at most venues, though and are limited supply) and they are definitely improved, but only on a real a/b listening test. They are not jaw-dropping.....don't shoot the messenger here though.

. Chris, dunno about the Naked vs remastered LIB. I love some aspects of Naked, but some are too no-noised.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 11:17 pm »

Thanks Ted...

ted_b · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 11:25 pm »

And for those of you who don't like mono and can't imagine listening to The Beatles in mono, then take some time and hear MMT, Pepper and the White Album. Different mixes, different layering, wayyyy better bass in most cases (this is not a review of 2009 vs earlier, just my comment on the monos in general).

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 11:28 pm »

Quote from: ted_b on 30 Aug 2009, 11:25 pm

And for those of you who don't like mono and can't imagine listening to The Beatles in mono, then take some time and hear MMT, Pepper and the White Album. Different mixes, different layering, wayyyy better bass in most cases (this is not a review of 2009 vs earlier, just my comment on the monos in general).

Then you'll only need one speaker Ted....

konut · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Sep 2009, 11:14 pm »

Only tangentially related to this thread, an interview and overview of the Beatles catalogue with producer George Martin on BBC radio. Fascinating!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00mc0cc

orthobiz · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Sep 2009, 12:39 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 30 Aug 2009, 11:28 pm

Quote from: ted_b on 30 Aug 2009, 11:25 pm
And for those of you who don't like mono and can't imagine listening to The Beatles in mono, then take some time and hear MMT, Pepper and the White Album. Different mixes, different layering, wayyyy better bass in most cases (this is not a review of 2009 vs earlier, just my comment on the monos in general).
Then you'll only need one speaker Ted....

And one ear. And read the liner notes with one eye closed. While standing on one leg.

Paul

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Sep 2009, 06:34 am »

News....

http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Beatles-remastered-CDs-update-EXCLUSIVE-EMI-still-making-mono-stereo-box-sets

adydula · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Sep 2009, 12:11 am »

Unless I am wrong the earliest Beatles Albums were issued in Mono and Stereo versions:

Example:

First UK Album was Please Please Please Me Parlophone PMC 1201 (mono) 22 March 1963 and the Stereo version PMC 3042 on 26 March 1963.

Source 'The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions" by Mark Lewishon.

Alex

funkmonkey · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Sep 2009, 01:11 am »

Quote from: adydula on 15 Sep 2009, 12:11 am

Unless I am wrong the earliest Beatles Albums were issued in Mono and Stereo versions:

Example:

First UK Album was Please Please Please Me Parlophone PMC 1201 (mono) 22 March 1963 and the Stereo version PMC 3042 on 26 March 1963.

Source 'The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions" by Mark Lewishon.

Alex

I think they were, but the mono versions were the mixes that george martin did with the band members input. The stereo mixes were mixed after for the then emerging market. Lots of info out about them. By the feedback so far either of the new versions would be an improvement over the 80's versions.

I'm thinkin' mono box + stereo versions of rubber soul on up.

adydula · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Sep 2009, 02:02 am »

The albums came out at the same time. I have the original vinyl in mono and stereo and can remember back then as a young kid thinking the new stereo was the heat and the mono sucked big time!!! aa

I agree the new stereo mixes coming out will be much better than those early stereo mixes..

I ordered the stereo version but will most likely bite the bullet for the monos as well ...

I still am a Beatles junkie!!..

The Lewishon book is a very well documented read:

http://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Recording-Sessions-Official-1962-1970/dp/B000PW8PEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252980116&sr=8-1

Its available in softbound version as well

Alex

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Sep 2009, 03:04 am »

I am happy with both sets. The whole stereo box is nice, especially from Beatles For Sale forward. My favorite of all of them (at least today) is the mono White Album. The mono bashers don't get it. It's not a question of mono/stereo- the performance and mix differ between the two.

Rocket · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 Sep 2009, 10:23 am »

Hi Nels,

I would like to purchase one of the box sets but I can't decide which one to get. What would you recommend? I'm not going to purchase both mono and stereo box sets.

Thanks for your help.

Regards

Rod