Mono or Stereo?

[tkitna]

I got the stereo box set for my birthday, but I havent bothered to listen to it yet. I'll comment once I do.

[tkitna]

I still havent opened the set yet. Isnt that horrible? I have a million things to listen to (I havent forgotten about you Rick) and just not enough time to get through them. i bought ringos new one a few days ago and only got through the first 4 songs before i got interrupted. just not enough time in the day.

[An Apple Beatle]

I still havent opened the set yet. Isnt that horrible? I have a million things to listen to (I havent forgotten about you Rick) and just not enough time to get through them. i bought ringos new one a few days ago and only got through the first 4 songs before i got interrupted. just not enough time in the day.

Nay problemo sir...I know how it gets...if you do listen...listen from about half way! lol

[Bingo Bongo]

I like to pick the different instruments out on the different channels and I like how the music is layered in stereo. Mono just throws everything on top of each other and sounds bland to me.

I'm siding with technology on this one ladies.

I totally agree with this.  Beatles started in mono, because that was the technology they had.  North America was well ahead of them in Stereo.

Unfortunately, the first couple of albums in stereo aren't separated the best, but overall, you can't beat stereo sound, sorry.

[Ovi]

Mono up to and including Beatles for Sale, then stereo.

[Bingo Bongo]

Mono up to and including Beatles for Sale, then stereo.

I found "Beatles For Sale" not quite as clear a recording as even the older albums. Not sure what it is, or if it's just me!  Even the US Capitol songs of "Beatles '65" (although dexterized) sound better than Beatles For Sale.

Is it just me 

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

Mono up to and including Beatles for Sale, then stereo.

I agree.

[Bingo Bongo]

I'll give the new 2105 Beatles 1 a bit of a compliment.  Some of the songs that had the vocals on 1 stereo channel, have now been moved more to the centre, to sound more like the mono recordings.  Not saying they are better, just different.

You can prevue them for free in iTunes before you decide to buy!  icon_king

[real01]

I'll give the new 2105 Beatles 1 a bit of a compliment.  Some of the songs that had the vocals on 1 stereo channel, have now been moved more to the centre, to sound more like the mono recordings.  Not saying they are better, just different.

And I like when the things are different!  glassesslip
I like little surprises... The orchestra crescendos sound more clear on '1'.
And Penny Lane sounds great. 

[Bingo Bongo]

Overall, I like having both Mono & Stereo on my iPod so that I can hear whichever I prefer to listen to at the time.  Same with the N.A. CD's to hear the dexterized versions and different songs on different albums, than the U.K. versions.

Even The U.K. Stereo sounds different the N.A. Stereo, to give you diversity! ;yes

SO, THE MORE BEATLES, THE MARIER!!!!!!!!  icon_king

[real01]

Well, some say mono albums, some say stereo, and some have both...  icon_cool

The only way to determine what you like better is to listen both versions of the album/songs.
You don't have to be an audio expert - just follow your taste.

Comparing the track 'Flying' - I'd say it sounds better in mono (it has more depth).
'Your Mother Should Know' - it sounds better in stereo because in mono, it is a bit 'artificial' sounding - and you don't have switching the vocals L/R like in stereo.

[Bingo Bongo]

Some of the earlier U.K. stuff in Stereo does suck on Headphones, but aren't as bad on the Home Stereo.  If your listening the the early N.A. stereo on Headphones, it's a little different, sometimes better, sometimes not.

Like I've mentioned before, if you like the true dexterized N.A. sound, you gotta get the 2004-06 Capitol CD Box sets Vol. 1 & 2. (In mono & Stereo).  The 2014 U.S. CD set does not give you that sound.

**** That's why you should just have it all in Mono & Stereo, U.K. & N.A.  Problem solved......  icon_cool

[Loco Mo]

I never bought the mono set so I can't offer a good critique here.

I just about always listen on headphones because I've lived in apartments all my life so I can't risk disturbing my neighbors (because they're easily disturbed and disturbing).

I think I'm missing out because I don't even know what The Beatles sound like on speakers any more.  When I was a kid, I could play the music loud at home on speakers.  I miss that.

I was expecting a lot when I bought the stereo remasters but I was disappointed.  A lot of that separation didn't sound right to me.  It's like someone's doing it just because the technology enables it.  Maybe I need to re-listen to them and maybe I'll have a different opinion the next time around.

[Fab4Fan]

I was expecting a lot when I bought the stereo remasters but I was disappointed.  A lot of that separation didn't sound right to me.  It's like someone's doing it just because the technology enables it.  Maybe I need to re-listen to them and maybe I'll have a different opinion the next time around.

I agree with you regarding the stereo remasters. As some others have pointed out, some tracks still sound better in stereo but overall, I now much prefer the mono versions.

And, as Bingo has posted, the North American versions also sound good to me - both in mono and stereo. Most likely because those are the versions I grew up with. 

[Loco Mo]

Thanks, Fab.  I was disappointed particularly with "A Hard Day's Night."  The mono version definitely sounds better to me but I really thought the stereo would be even better.  So, yes, I was down, really down about it.  In fact, I asked the people around me:  "How can you laugh when you know I'm down?"