[StereoNut]

I have been scouting around the www looking for a deal on the Beatles CD Mono Box Set.

Here's (some of) the info. I've found:

The Beatles Mono Box Set was compiled as a special interest package for the hard-core fan. It presents the first ten albums in re-mastered mono (the final 3 albums made their debuts in stereo only), and a double album of singles and EPs, called "Mono Masters".

Universal Product Identifiers
Product ID: 15909887
UPC: 5099969945120
EAN: 5099969945120
ASIN: B002BSHXJA

Audio CD  (2009-09-09)
Release Date: 2009-09-09
Number of Discs: 13
Label: EMI

What has me confused is that I've seen this box set listed as EMI (as above) and on Capitol.  I have also seen prices ranging anywhere from $89.00 to $649.00.  Including people who have gone out of their way on their listings to say that "anything listed for a price under $179.00, is an out and out bootleg!"

I believe the original list price on this set (Mono, not stereo) was $298.00.  How can people be offering this item (as new, sealed, in packaging) at such deep discounts?  I'd like to save some $$$, but don't want to buy inferior sounding copies either.

Any idea what the real deal is?

Thanks!
SN

[jsaliga]

The deal is that the list price is $299, but the street price is about $180.  Amazon.com has it in stock for $189.00 right now and rest assured that it is not a bootleg.

--Jerome

[CELT in AR]

I got my boxed mono set from Music Direct for $199. Now, I've seen the mono sets from $238 (Capitol-USA) to $444 (EMI-Japan) at CD Universe, so I figured the $199 Music Direct set would be a domestic release. It's not. It's clearly made by Toshiba in Japan. There ARE Chinese knockoff sets out there, so be careful.

[StereoNut]

Thanks, Guys!

Anybody know what the difference is between the Capitol - USA version vs. the one from EMI - Japan?  I know that when it comes to LP's, the Japanese pressings are supposed to be superior... does this apply to CD's too?

SN

[CELT in AR]

I'm not sure there really was a USA made mono Beatles set.
Anyway, in my experience the Japanese mini Lp CD's almost always have more attention to detail in replication of the original album packaging and generally have higher quality discs. I couldn't be happier with my set.

[Photon46]

Every review of the mono box set I've read said that all mono box sets are made in Japan, no domestic production of this title.

[Hicks]

Just a guess but they may have branded the boxes differently for different markets. 

[roscoeiii]

Yep, I certainly got burned by a fake set. Bought thru eBay and got a refund with no prob.

[Phil A]

The deal is that the list price is $299, but the street price is about $180.  Amazon.com has it in stock for $189.00 right now and rest assured that it is not a bootleg.

--Jerome

I concur.  I got mine when it first came out that way.  A few dollars more vs. the peace of mind knowing what you're getting is worth it.  If I was going to buy something like this once a week, then perhaps bargain hunting a little more would be something to consider.

[tonyptony]

Yep, I certainly got burned by a fake set. Bought thru eBay and got a refund with no prob.

Same thing happened to me. Fortunately I also had no problem with the refund.

[StereoNut]

Yep, I certainly got burned by a fake set. Bought thru eBay and got a refund with no prob.

How did you know it was fake once you got it?  Was it that obvious?  Most of the pictures in these on-line ads are pretty convincing.

Thanks!
SN

[roscoeiii]

Poor construction of the cardboard sleeves were the first things to tip me off. Then I found a few YouTube videos that compare fake & real. Those confirmed it.

[firedog]

Buy from Amazon or other reputable dealer, so you know it isn't fake. As usual, if it's an offer that's too good to be true, it usually is.

My understanding is that the sleeves etc for the mono box are made in Japan. Not sure about the CD's themselves.

I participate in several forums where the Mono set has been discussed, I haven't heard ANY discussion of different quality levels as a result of the set being from  Japan, USA, etc. I don't think it is an issue in this case.

[jsaliga]

Buy from Amazon or other reputable dealer, so you know it isn't fake. As usual, if it's an offer that's too good to be true, it usually is.

That has already been suggested...now for the third time.  You know the saying -- you can lead a horse to water...

--Jerome