So, What is the Verdict on the Beatles Box Sets?

I got several of the stereo remixes today. Listened to part of Sgt Peppers. I was a bit put off actually and suprisingly so after the review I'd read saying how good they were. It's the same ole stuff - added treble emphasis, compression. I just didn't expect it to that degree. Even on my Mcintosh system it jumped right out. Yes, you can hear more detail, everything is cleaned up but they went too far with it. I'm kinda having buyer's remorse right now. I might buy a mono mix and see how it sounds. I'm havin' trouble getting my mind around the mono better than stereo concept but, man, the added boom and sparkle - ouch!

It's the same ole stuff - added treble emphasis, compression.

I agree - I heard it playing in HMV on a terrible system but I could easily hear the tell tale signs of modern compression. Of course, many people will be delighted with the "emphasis" that has been added and will no doubt be deceived into thinking this is better resolution...

It will ONLY be the monos for me

You can't just go get a mono...you have to buy the box set to the mono versions.

Totally agree with Wireless200 and Shadorne - way too much upper octave emphasis and severe lack of warmth on the remastered Sgt Peppers. I had really hoped for a much more audiophile-type sound. The "Love" mix by George Martin has MUCH better sound IMO.

I'm curious, how is it that there are mono versions? I know their early stuff was mono but was there ever a commercially released mono version of, say, Sgt Peppers or is it something that was done for the remasters? I mean you can't go out and buy Rumours in Mono. I'm assuming all the Beatles albums were mono in some sort of finished product and that later after the 60s it just wasn't done much. I'd like a little more insight into this aspect. If both mono and stereo were available for Sgt Pepper's at the time of original release, why did they do it? Was there any demand for mono back then?