The Mono Box may be the preferred option for hard-core Beatles fans.
(Credit: Apple Records)Tone Audio's Bob Gendron scored advance copies of "The Beatles Stereo Box Set" and "The Beatles Mono Box Set" of the complete Beatles catalog. Four years in the making, Gendron thinks the remasters are a feast for the ears.
Tone Audio is an audiophile Web site, so when I read Gendron's claims of "Near-miraculous improvements in the key areas of information retrieval, hidden details, palpable physicality, expanded midrange, transient presence, and frequency response" to the remastered sound, I was jazzed. Bass, never a strong suit on Beatles recordings, has been improved, so we get to hear more oomph from Paul McCartney's bass and Ringo Starr's percussion. I can hardly wait.
Gendron seems to favor the mono box, mostly because the Beatles and their producer, George Martin, lavished their attention on the mono mixes of the original albums; stereo was an afterthought. Me, I'm a stereo kind of guy, so I'll start with the stereo set. And yes, I'll report back after I've had time to mull over the sound for myself. The Rolling Stones' recent remasters are nothing to write home about, that's why I've remained mum about them. Remastering, all by itself, is no guarantee of improved sound quality.
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MartinLogan Purity speakers
(Credit: MartinLogan)MartinLogan, based in Lawrence, Kansas, maker of highly regarded curved panel electrostatic speakers announced yesterday that its Design Series models are now available through Amazon (Amazon is the only authorized Internet retailer of MartinLogan speakers).
MartinLogan's unique technology produces sound with far greater detail than conventional "box" speakers--it's high-definition for the ears. I think MartinLogans are also beautiful and elegant, which doesn't hurt. M-L's technology was also used to create stylish in-wall, on-wall and floor-standing speakers, and many of the speakers qualify for Amazon.com's free Super Saver Shipping or free two-day shipping (for Amazon Prime members).
That said, MartinLogan's higher-end speakers and subwoofers aren't available over Amazon; the brick and mortar dealers still have a lock on those models. That's a good thing, you need a dealer's expertise to get the very best sound out of high-end speakers. But if Amazon can bring some of the glories of true high-end sound to a larger market that has to be a good thing, and maybe some of those buyers will seek out dealers to hear just how good their music and movies can sound.
Check the MartinLogan website to learn more about these amazing speakers and technology.
(Credit:
Steve Guttenberg)
Do you buy CDs, LPs, MP3s, iTunes, or 8 track cartridges?
If so, do you buy them from Amazon or other online retailer, brick and mortar chain store, or local "record" shop?
Do you regularly buy used CDs or LPs? And rarely buy new CDs or LPs?
Do you subscribe to a subscription service, if so, which one? Rhapsody, Yahoo, Napster, etc?
If you really like a tune you heard from a subscription service do you buy it? Do you buy individual tracks or complete albums?
Or do you get your tunes from a P2P like Morpheus or Blubster?
What about DRM, do you care?
What percentage of your physical music collection did you get for free (ripped CDs, gifts, etc)?
Is sound quality a factor, would you pay more for higher quality downloads or subscriptions?
Do you buy CDs, burn 'em, and them sell them?
How do you discover new music? Radio, friends, online, record stores?
What have I left out?
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