Beatles White Album - Mono or Stereo?

Hi,

I joined the forum a couple months back and I didn’t know anything about the differences between mono and stereo. Since then I’ve become a lot more aware of different mixes and what I think is a good or bad mix. I’ve always listened to the White Album in Stereo because that is what was available. When I bought the mono cd box and heard the White album I wasn’t blown away but it sounded more coherent to me. For example, on Happiness is a Warm Gun, John’s vocal pans and that just irks me. It never used to but now it does. While I find the mono version less exciting, it sounds natural without all the stereo panning. So which do you prefer? Mono or Stereo? Cheers

 

Tough question. I love the clarity of the stereo mix, but like you, the panning to me is weird, so it's hard to listen on headphones. (To be honest, a lot of the stereo catalog is hard to listen to on phones because of the mixing).

The mono version is really muddy to me. I first got a needle drop of it about 15 years ago, and I was disappointed because it was sounded like someone had covered the speakers up with blankets (at least compared to the stereo version). Since then, I have picked up a couple of vinyl versions of the mono and heard the mono cd, and it's still not much of an improvement on my original thoughts.

I think by the White Album, the mono mix was the afterthought. Previously, the stereo versions were the afterthought, and the mono mix was the one the band cared about.

I guess I would say stereo on this one, although I very seldom listen to it on headphones.

P.S. The White Album is my favorite Beatles album and favorite album by anyone.

 

Stereo

 

Mono, it's dark and mysterious.

 

Sounds like the forthcoming Giles Martin remix will be for you...

 

Mono.

 

It seems we stood and talked like this before...

 

Mono is the one I play the most...

 

Both.

 

Stereo.
No - I mean mono.
No - I'll stick with stereo.
Damn it - I don't know. I need both.

(I hope this was helpful).

 

i prefer the mono mix.

 

Mono.All the way.

 

Mono was always a “must have” for years, until you heard it. Not terrible, but not like the previous mono lps where they were labored over. Like mentioned a couple of posts before, sounds like an afterthought.

 

Get both.

 

One of many of the Fabs albums where I recommend both.

Some songs are better in Mono, some better in Stereo.


The only "one mix" Beatles albums for me are:

Please Please Me (Mono)
With the Beatles (Mono)
Beatles for Sale (Stereo)
Rubber Soul (Mono)
Sgt Pepper (Mono)

.

 

Stereo.

Two words: savoy truffle!

 

Yeah, hopefully he will center the vocals and follow the mono mix like he did with the Sgt Pepper mix.

 

The first time I heard the mono mix after decades of stereo only White Album listening, I could really tell the differences in the mixes. But after years now of listening to both, mono and stereo, I don't even pay attention any more.

 

Definitely stereo.

However, it could use a remix IMO - I think our host SH would do an amazing job on The White Album, but perhaps Giles Martin and co. are really up to something for 2018.

Jeff

 

This. Even though there are some significant differences, I prefer the MONO.

 

Stereo

 

While I listen to them both, I prefer the mono album.

 

It's a toss up.

Some songs work better in mono, some better in stereo.

I like having both.

 

Yes

 

I think they're both quite fine, actually. I lean to the mono from the box set, but the stereo is great, so...