Comparing Michael Jackson Thriller: the problematic release of MoFi's One Step

A year ago Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab released a 40th anniversary pressing of the famous Michael Jackson Thriller album. The release of the record came with some questions and issues for their fans which led to problems. Was this release worthwile? In this video I will compare the One Step release to the original (European) pressing mastered by Bernie Grundman.
#michaeljackson #thriller #onestep #mfsl #mofi #berniegrundman #comparison #lp #vinyl #audiophile #vinylcommunity

[@israelquezada9936]

As I'm from México, I wanted to listen to it before making a decision, because here it's extremely expensive. So, a friend of mine just got his copy and invited me to make a comparison with the copy I have of the 1st US pressing. Yes, it sounds more open, more detailed and sounds awesome. But it seemed to me that the soul was taken away from it, the original sounded to me more punchy, more profound and more analogue and warm. The Mofi sounded as if I was listening to a high resolution digital file and honestly, I prefer the original sound.

[@top5records796]

I completely understand you prefer the original sound!

[@luisfernandez8577]

Great video i love your silences and thoughts, this kind of stuff is useful

[@rdubstacks1289]

When I received my MoFi copy I was really disappointed. I own two copies of first year pressings. My first year pressings just sound better. I totally agree with your review.

[@top5records796]

That must have been a letdown. What country are you first year pressings from?

[@rdubstacks1289]

Hi 1992 Europe and 2020 Europe...I'm not real good at describing the sound of music but you would want to dance to mu to earlier pressings before you would want to dance to to MoFi BTW love your channel!!!@@top5records796

[@SPAZZOID100]

Better how??

[@peaceloverock6959]

That’s unfortunate… especially at $100 a pop. I feel better I passed on this

[@charlesgund4812]

I have the first Japanese and I think that sounds damn good. Not a million miles from first US. My only question I ask myself is how much I want to listen to thriller now generally.

[@top5records796]

Good question! What is your anwser?

[@jameshogg11]

Two thoughts on that... Firstly I've always thought Off The Wall is a more enjoyable listen anyway, but secondly, after watching 'Leaving Neverland' I just can't enjoy MJ music at all now. And yes, I'm fully aware they are only *allegations* and not proven facts.

[@osvaldoiron]

Excellent comparison, I have heard that Carlos Santana's Abraxas album, one steep process by mofy, sounds much better than the best analog version. Do you have this album in both versions? I would like you to make a comparison like this. Greetings

[@top5records796]

Thank you! I wish I had the Abraxas One Step; it goes for more than 1200,- euro’s online. It doesn’t seem very likely I will ever own one, though I have indeed heard it should sound spectacular. I have a 1st German pressing though that already sounds amazing.

[@SPAZZOID100]

This MOFI pressing has much less compression, therefore more dynamics than any other pressing.

[@u2acrobata]

i have both copies too ... and the MOFI seams to have a appears to have a pot lid over it ... the original one as more air ... and freshness ... but i like the Mofis too ... with aa little tweaks on my amp equalizer .... it soulds fresher ... but i like it mainly cause my original one ... is a bit "poppy" already ... so my Mofis is a more clear sound ... thanks for another great vid greetings from POrtugal Filipe

[@top5records796]

Thank you! Well the original, in good state, is also pretty fresh!

[@BilKojak]

Finding and listening to the original pressing is much more fun and enjoyable than buying the expensive MoFi - for me...

[@top5records796]

I understand that! And I feel the same very often, yet sometimes MoFi can sound brilliant!

[@pedrogandra5530]

So what’s better? Should I buy this or just go with the first pressing?

[@top5records796]

I’d say first pressing.

[@_PuppetMaster86]

I'd recommend the 2018 reissue (which uses the 2016 European press mastering, another pressing you can look into). It's much more dynamic and crystal than the original pressing which suffers from sibilance, whereas the reissue does not.

[@Jamko1970]

On the MoFi the sound is neutered. The 1st US pressing is a banger. Too bad analog productions couldn’t do the release with Bernie Grundman mastering it, now that would’ve been the ultimate.

[@top5records796]

Agree! I would have loved to see this on a Analogue Productions 45rpm!

[@muckelmonchichi5292]

11 minute video to know that eq was applied, seriously?

[@top5records796]

Definitely! And also a remark about the specific EQ. I think the ideas behind a certain EQ are essential to a pressing and can change the entire listening experience.

[@SPAZZOID100]

This MOFI pressing has much less compression, therefore more dynamics than any other pressing.