The white album mono vs stereo

In mono, there is no "instrument placing". It's mono!
Unless you are simply saying that you like the mono mix better,
which I assume you are.

 

Well there placed lower in the mix than the vocals, fine by me.

 

I love the album, but I hate the panning of the stereo version when listening to it with headphones. That's the main reason why I go with the mono.

 

Surprised stereo is winning.
Wonder if the stereo poll pickers like black & white films.

 

Because stereo was the norm by 1968.

The people who prefer it in mono are the ones who dig B&W movies!

 

I used to love my mono needle drop, but ultimately if in the mood for the white album it's the 30th anniversary cd edition

 

Me too.

 

Yes, people who like mono tend to enjoy many good things without regard to issues of presentation.

 

I noticed this too and I agree with you about it. My recent listening to the stereo version has been by way of the '87CD on my iPod. I would need to compare this recent mono reissue with an original UK stereo LP to make a fair comparison I suppose. I think I would probably say both have their merits. I'm not thrilled with Helter Skelter in mono, my favorite Beatles song. I am really enjoying how this new reissue sounds on my system though so at the moment I'm biased towards it.

 

Is this not the same mastering as the earlier 87 release? I was not aware that a new mastering was done, but I haven't paid close attention...

 

Like both versions, but if I must pick one, I take the stereo mix!

 

I'm not quite sure. I think it's the same mastering, but they corrected one indexing error. Anyway, I prefer it, because the replica packaging is so cool

 

It's the one Beatles album where the mono mix has never "clicked" for me.
I warm up to it a little more every time I listen to it, but it still doesn't beat the stereo for me.

 

Stereo (100th person to vote for that, by the way eheh)

 

Apart from it missing the final bit with "I GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!" I find the mono Helter Skelter to rock so much harder than the stereo version.

 

This was the first Beatle record with Beatle approved stereo mixes. I do much prefer it in stereo.

 

It sounds overly congested to me. That might not necessarily be a bad thing in this case, but it seems like it is.

 

Sure? I vaguely remember an earlier thread listing a few tracks that were fold-downs.

 

I agree, the mono is cool but it has muddy bass sound. You can't distinguish the bass notes like you can on the stereo version. That goes for all the mono albums.

 

Me too.

 

The first time I heard the mono version, I likened it to visiting a creepy old house in which you know every nook and cranny, but some of the furniture has been mysteriously rearranged. The feeling is slightly unsettling (in a good way) and it casts a different light (sometimes more favorable, sometimes not) on many of the songs you've heard a million times. I think I'm right in saying that this was the only album in which the stereo and mono mixes were purposefully made to be noticeably different, rather than accidentally (except for maybe a couple of the MMT tracks)? It was a sly game the Beatles were playing with the more obsessive fans, taking advantage of the precise moment when one technology was completely overtaking the other. I'm so glad this happened in 1968 because to me the two versions enrich the overall experience of my favorite Beatles album and I feel no need to choose one mix over another. Therefore I voted "like both equally".

 

With headphones - Stereo
Without headphones - Mono

 

@Mike Bass

 

Mono all the way - big, bold and right in my face. Best enjoyed with a round stylus. When played with Shure M44-7 on a Rega Planar II you couldn't ask for more

 

I've only heard it in stereo.