Beatles cd boxset?

The mono. Firstly, I think that without exception the mono versions of the albums (the White Album, PPM and AHDN especially) sound better, more punchier than their stereo counterparts. Don't forget that most of them were recorded with mono in mind, and that the Fabs themselves always sat in on the mono mixing sessions, whereas for the stereo mixes they were usually absent.

As an added bonus, the packaging is superb - the attention to detail is exquisite.

Watch out for counterfeits though - make sure you buy from a reputable retailer and beware of "bargains".

Thanks for your advice. Can you advice of anywhere to buy the box set from.

Many thanks

Amazon sells it.  I understand that this box set is somewhat popular to counterfeit.  I would feel comfortable buying from Amazon, if it is possible for you.

Amazon you should be OK, but the safest place would be direct from thebeatles.com

I have both cd sets and much Beatles vinyl. I much prefer the stereo cd remasters. I think it's why we have hifi and two speakers. But Kevin makes valid points above. If you are strictly into the mix, mono might be for you. You'll loose soundstage, depth, and width of image versus stereo. Stereo offers all those attributes, plus greater warmth.  As for stereo, the vocals-on-one-channel and instruments on the other is an artifact of the two-track and four-track recording available at the time. One thing you can appreciate with either CD set is the overall quality of the original recordings and production.

Ive listened to both the stereo and mono box set music and . . . they really are quite different. 

I agree with Randy and generally prefer the stereo -- it sounds more like I'm used to listening to music.  The mono mixes are quite different, and interesting in and of themselves.  But as Randy writes, the absence of soundstage is notable, and 'different' for those of us used to modern soundstage imaging. 

If I could only own one, I would opt for the stereo mixes myself.  Actually my strong preference are the 24-88 files on the Beatles USB product, which I bought several years ago.  And it looks cool sittin' on a Naim black box.

Sorry, but aren't they 24/44.1 ?

I don't agree with loss of soundstage with mono. I agree the width of the soundstage is lessened but  the depth can be greater. That is listening to vinyl on my system. With the early LP's the stereo is very '2 channel' but with the mono they sound like a unit, a band. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the stereo LP's, my old man was a hifi nut like me and bought most of the original LP's in stereo, but the original mono mixes were special. I wouldn't dismiss them without giving them a listen.

The mono set includes LPs through the white album; the final three LPs (yellow sub, abbey rd, and let it be) were only produced in stereo. Therefore, you won't find come together on the mono.  Another reason to get the stereo - you get the complete catalogue. I really think the mono set is more for Beatles aficionados.

As you already have the vinyl box set in stereo why do you want the cd box set? Why not wait for the mono vinyl box set to be issued, early next year I think, then you'll have all bases covered.

Steve

I will say one thing - the stereo albums have the soundstage etc, but I believe the monos are more about an "organic performance".

I'll give you an example - one of the best songs on The White Album, "Yer Blues", was originally recorded in the control room in Studio 2 at Abbey Road. The mono version of this track preserves the  claustrophobia of that particular performance much better than the stereo version. It sounds cramped, because the band were (deliberately) in a very small space. It's heavier, and more intense.  

I  own copies both in mono and stereo  and must admit that I do prefer their mono original material compared to the original stereo vinyl or CDs. I have not listened to their remasters though.

The mono set on CD is out of print, but still relatively easy to find and cheaper than when it was released. The mono on vinyl should be forthcoming, but who knows when? I'd point out the song Help as one I prefer in mono and it is an entirely different take than the stereo.

I have not listened to the Beatles in mono since I got my Headline & HPs so I'll have to give that a try.

Sorry to hear your CDP sounds better than the LP12. Hope you get that remedied.

Whoops you're right!  I was half right

I prefer the monos myself in most cases; there are actually musical differences on many cuts (and the accompanying literature is great at pointing those out - many you will know right away from being so familiar with the recordings), and the stereo "split" has always bothered me.  (Actually I really dislike it a lot.)  To me the stereo separation ruins the sound stage. 

I don't know if it was a limitation of the vintage equipment as opposed to the engineers not knowing what they were doing with a then new technology...that's why the industry even went to quadrophonic (yikes! 4 S600S!) because the thought was a speaker for every instrument was the goal for alleged realism.  (Bzzzzz...our judges say "wrong".)  I was so hoping the newer stereo remasters (of which I bought 3) were going to change that...but they didn't.

As for counterfeits, there is a thread that I started here with info about spotting counterfeits - many members (and additional research I did myself) helped me feel secure that I got what I paid for.  There are also youtube videos highlighting some differences.

As others have posted, buy from Amazon direct (as opposed to one of their sellers) or the official site.  I could have gotten mine at lower cost, but I really didn't want to mess with potential knock-off merchandise.

Whatever you choose, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I prefer the stereo versions, especially Revolver and Rubber Soul.

But my dad had a listen to my stereo versions and said they where downright awful.

If you have some kind of link from your pc to your hi fi system, you could listen to both versions on good ole youtube

Just as a simple guide.

Though I definitely prefer the stereo for open room listening I'm finding the mono more enjoyable though headphones. I've always noticed the different cuts/mixes between the mono and stereo versions, but the mono seemed like an overall shallow sound in the room. Listening to the white album now with HPs seems sharper, cleaner, more focused. Cool!

I'm into whatever the artists and their producer intended as the definitive artistic statement. Mix is crucial, and the mono mixes are the ones George Martin, the chief engineer, and The Beatles themselves attended to, leaving the stereo mixes to a second engineer after they left the studio (until the white album, which was mixed by The Beatles and Martin in stereo and mono).