The Beatles Mono vs. Stereo, Part 2

posted by Rob on July 26, 2009 at 11:30 pm | Comments (24)

In April, I wrote a blog entry titled The Beatles Mono vs. Stereo (Remastered CDs Coming Sept. 2009). In it, I discussed the upcoming Beatles remastered CD boxed sets and my preference for the stereo versions of their albums. I also created and posted several mono vs. stereo audio clips, so you could hear the difference.

That post has been very popular, so as a follow-up – and as a reminder that the new sets are less than seven weeks away – I’ve created more mono/stereo comparison clips and posted them below. After putting these samples together, I still believe that the stereo mixes are superior to the mono mixes. Listen for yourself and let me know which mixes you prefer (listen to these clips in headphones for a more dramatic effect):

“I Call Your Name” 1964, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
58 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“If I Fell” 1964, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

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Download:
58 second MP3 file – 2.3 MB (right-click to save)

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“I’m Looking Through You” 1965, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

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Download:
59 second MP3 file – 2.3 MB (right-click to save)

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“I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” 1964, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
58 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“In My Life” 1965, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

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Download:
58 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“I Should Have Known Better” 1964, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

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Download:
57 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“Long Tall Sally” 1964, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

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Download:
49 second MP3 file – 1.9 MB (right-click to save)

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“No Reply” 1964, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
56 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” 1965, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
58 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“Please Please Me” 1963, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
58 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“Rock and Roll Music” 1964, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
53 second MP3 file – 2.1 MB (right-click to save)

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“Run for Your Life” 1965, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
58 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“Think for Yourself” 1965, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
56 second MP3 file – 2.2 MB (right-click to save)

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“Twist and Shout” 1963, short stereo/mono comparison clip:

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download:
37 second MP3 file – 1.4 MB (right-click to save)

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If you’re planning on buying only one of the boxed sets and aren’t sure which one, I hope my audio clips in this post and my previous one help you decide. Keep in mind, these clips aren’t comparing the remastered versions of the songs that are coming out in September. I obviously don’t have access to those yet (I wish I did!), but I assume their sound quality will be even better. For now though, at least you can hear the difference between the mono and stereo mixes.

While I’m on the subject of the remasters, I pre-ordered both boxed sets on Amazon about a week ago. They set me back $448. Ouch! At least if the price goes down between now and September 9, I’ll pay the lower price, though I doubt that’ll happen.

For the price I’m paying, I really hope the sets are worth it in terms of mastering quality. The first thing I’ll do when I receive them is rip a few of the songs to my computer and analyze the waveforms. If there are any signs of the loundess war (brickwall limiting, hard-clipping, or severe dynamic range compression), I’m returning them. I’ll post my impressions and waveform analyses as soon as the CDs arrive in September.

In the meantime, which boxed set are you going to buy, mono, stereo, or both?

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