The Beatles on CD | Mono vs Stereo Boxset

This was the second thing I had filmed last spring. This will continue in some of the following weeks with my attempt at an audio comparison between these same two sets: the 2009 Beatles in Mono vs Beatles in Stereo on CD boxes. And they all took some time to get around to. Disclaimer: some of my opinions may have shifted since then. :)
But today's video is covering two topics:
1. An overall side by side comparison between the boxsets themselves, outer packaging, individual discs packaging, some differences in content etc.
2. Some observations on how I tried to better protect the discs (particularly those in the Stereo Box which were a bit lacking in that department as opposed to the Mono box).
In that respect (after searching for some items I needed on various sites - including local ones from my country and also ebay or aliexpress), I decided to stick with the one that seemed the best choice (for Europe at least), and which I think is the place of choice for more experienced collectors:
protected.de/en
You can find the complete unboxing and presentation of the Mono set here:
• The Beatles in Mono Un...
If you're interested in some thoughts about the recent Beatles releases (Now and Then and 2023 remixes of the Red and Blue compilations, they are here:
• 2023 Beatles Red & Blu...
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:10 The Boxes
06:06 The Contents
07:25 Individual Discs Packaging Compared
09:10 How to Protect the CDs
14:36 Albums Side by Side
23:07 The Stereo Only Albums
23:38 Past Masters vs Mono Masters
24:52 Digipacks - The Good and The Bad
26:29 Conclusions
28:13 Closing
All my gratitude goes to Red for cinematography and trainings :).
#thebeatles #beatles #paulmccartney #johnlennon #ringostarr #georgeharrison #limitededition #music #unboxing #albums #2023 #beatlesinmono #beatlesinstereo #2009

[@thanosb.5403]

Do not forget that the Stereo remasters were also available separately (boxless) , and this is how many people have them (including myself). The reason the documentaries were also in each disc (apart from the DVD) was so that every single buyer would have them! Excellent video, keep them coming!

[@BurgundySkies]

Ah true, makes sense, otherwise they would have had to issue the Docs dvd separately or just issue separate variations of the same CD for each album. Thanks!!!

[@BigSky1]

I cannot make the documentaries at the end of each album play on my Apple Mac with Quick Time. Only the disc with all will play.

[@radu-cosminnechifor4868]

​@@BigSky1That's kinda weird, no?

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I have both sets, and I've always been glad I do. Each of them has something the other doesn't. One example is Sgt Pepper in mono has the sound of a tape machine being switched on in the Reprise at the end, while Lennon mutters something unintelligible, whereas the White Album has the fade-back-in of Helter Skelter, Ringo's famous blisters on his famous fingers, which the mono does not. In terms of packaging, I prefer the mono box as the colors on the covers are more natural looking, the CDs are kept in those plastic inner sleeves vs the stereo digipaks which enough friction could possibly scuff up the CDs as you slide them in and out. While the rare photos in the stereo albums are nice to see (at last), the colors on the front covers are very heavily-processed. I flinched when you held up the Beatles for Sale covers in both formats. I liked how warm and natural the mono cover looked vs the "I-don't-know-what-they-were-thinking" way they processed the photos on the stereo. Overly glossy, would you say? I would.

[@BurgundySkies]

Not sure if flinching was the reaction I was targeting, but... I do get your point. Like I said, to me the digipacks are not a bad idea, they're just executed poorly. :(

[@AwesomeGuy-oy1fe]

Can't wait for the video on sound difference!

[@BurgundySkies]

We'll be starting most probably at the end of this week. 😁

[@phillipanderson7398]

Simple. If you can afford both , get both. BUT if you can only afford one set get the MONO. The first six albums especially, but after hearing what they did recently with Revolver , fixing up the earlier wonky stereo mix and hearing the new "red album" I am looking forward to remixes of the first six.

[@BurgundySkies]

Not a bad idea. Although, you know affordability for these sets is weird. Cause if you can afford the Mono, you prob can afford the Stereo, as the Mono is more often than not double. And if you buy the Mono, assuming you don't have the remaining albums already, you still need to buy Yellow Sub, Let it be and Abbey Road separately.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

@@BurgundySkies Fourteen years after they were issued, the individual stereo CDs can be found on secondary market shelves all over the country, so price is no hang-up.

[@BurgundySkies]

Well yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[@johnw706]

A very nice overview of both the Mono and Stereo Boxsets . Well done !!!!

[@BurgundySkies]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to watch.

[@johnw706]

@@BurgundySkies You're welcome .

[@BigSky1]

What I have done with the stereo discs is put them in plastic resealable sleeves and put the disc where the book is and put the book where the discs where. It works.

[@BurgundySkies]

I almost accidentally did that in the video, but never occured to me, lol. I am trying this tomorrow. There is another thing that I have to check about these sleeves though, just occured to me they may cause other issues.

[@xanadoooo]

I have the mono and stereo box sets both in CD and vinyl, like you on the stereo box set I put them in re-seal able sleeves, also the inner sleeves I used a ruler and sharp knife to shorten them to the same height of the CD, which helps when putting them in the outer sleeve 👍🇬🇧

[@BurgundySkies]

That's actually a very good point. I might try that. Thanks.

[@glass_oni0n]

They've fallen out of favor with some, but I love the 09 remasters. I was lucky enough to scoop up a brand new mono box during the pandemic (probably one of the last brand new mono boxes around) and I've been in love with it ever since, that and the three remaining stereo albums are my go-to way of listening to the Beatles. I am wondering if perhaps I should grab the doubles of the stereo albums while they can still be had for cheap. I like the packaging, I like the added content and frankly there's just something uniquely fun about buying Beatles albums even if you already have them XD. It also bothers me that as more remixes come out, the more those mixes seem to replace these in the marketplace, which I think is a mistake.

[@BurgundySkies]

When you say you grabbed one of the last boxes, do you mean the CD or Vinyl? I guess CD, right?

[@BigSky1]

My main gripe is that for the Mono CD box they gave you the original EMI and Apple inners. Why didn’t they put them in the Mono vinyl box.

[@BurgundySkies]

I mean they are a nice touch for the CDs, I kinda like it.

[@BigSky1]

@@BurgundySkies I also like it so why not put them in the Mono vinyl box. The vinyl Mono box was so expensive and collectible. Supposed to be a faithful reproduction of the original records so why not original EMI and Apple sleeves in there also instead of plain white poly lined which is what is on them. Daft!

[@BurgundySkies]

​@@BigSky1​ aaaahhh. Now I get your point. Tbh I have not checked the Vinyl one too much, due to the absolutely prohibitive price for me... but... it does not include them??? WTF?

[@BigSky1]

@@BurgundySkies No. just standard white poly lined inner sleeves. Unbelievable for a great product to not have them like the CDs do. Apart from Sgt Pepper… in the Mono box which does come with the a repro of the original psychedelic sleeve and the White Album which comes with black poly lined sleeves both Mono and Stereo box’s come with standard white poly lined sleeves and not original EMI or Apple inner sleeves.

[@BurgundySkies]

Indeed. Makes no sense, moreover give the price tag.

[@kookamunga2458]

Rubber Soul and everything after that prefer in stereo . Everything before Rubber soul prefer mono .

[@BurgundySkies]

Overall that makes sense because of how they recorded, but as will be apparent in some future videos, for me it's a very mixed bag.

[@kookamunga2458]

@@BurgundySkies I agree. Rubber Soul is the start of the Beatles experimental phase and around the time they started dabbling with lsd . I just think the later albums are more psychedelic sounding in stereo although I've never listened to the Beatles high on acid .

[@craigphillips6308]

Rubber Soul sounds amazing in Mono.

[@kookamunga2458]

@@craigphillips6308 So I've heard but I'd have to invest in a mono cartridge for my turntable and they are not cheap.

[@BurgundySkies]

@@craigphillips6308 It would have sounded great in Stereo as well, if not for the hard panning imo. Given the variety of instruments and sounds they started employing, a nice Stereo mix would elevate it even higher.

[@capitolemiproducer]

19:45 You did not mention that MMT mono and stereo has the "Capitol" Rainbow label from the USA and not Parophone

[@BurgundySkies]

Indeed.

[@patriot1151]

I always seem to prefer the Beatles in stereo.

[@BurgundySkies]

Don't tell anybody but... I am starting to... too. :) There are some exceptions though.

[@patriot1151]

@@BurgundySkies same here.

[@BigSky1]

I hate The Beatles digipaks. They are ugly and not user friendly. When will companies learn that cardboard scratches CD’s!

[@BurgundySkies]

I agree. I like the overal aspect of them, but functionally they are shit for holding disks. And if you think these are bad, wait till you see the carton sleeves they have for the EP CD collection.

[@BigSky1]

@@BurgundySkies I have seen them. Rubbish! I have managed to get the bonus disc on CD and vinyl. Don’t need the whole box. I have the original UK E.Ps.

[@BurgundySkies]

​@@BigSky1That must be nice... having the originals. Anyway... I am finding it harder and harder to understand and/or explain why they would stinge on such a critical part of a product like this. Especially in limited or special edition products like Boxsets and Anniversary Editions on Albums. Geeez.

[@BigSky1]

@@BurgundySkies The Mono & Stereo CDs are also cut from a Digital source whereas the Mono vinyl box set is all Analogue which is far more faithful to the original sound of the 1960s albums. I have listened to the stereo CDs. They sound ok but not great but the big disappointment for me sound wise is the Stereo Magical Mystery Tour album. It sounds awful. Muddy and no clarity.

[@candelise]

Take the Discs out carefully and you won't see scatches anywherel. Very easy.

[@romans52345-cy3tq]

Talking about CDS during this vinyl revival? Absolute blasphemy lol

[@BurgundySkies]

And I'm not stopping. 😆😆😆

[@ethancorrea5370]

​@@BurgundySkiesAnd don't stop, fellow CD collector and enjoyer

[@farrellmcnulty909]

@@ethancorrea5370 Yes, especially since you can't put an LP into an I tunes account and transfer it to an I POD / PAD. I do love vinyl, but at this rate, it's like a very high-priced call girl.

[@BurgundySkies]

You won't find me disputing that 😅😅😅. Although I will get a couple of them just to have the option opened and to be able to properly compare.