Soundgarden, Superunknown

Aaahaha did ya read the write-up?! He's like I'M SICK OF EVERYBODY ASKING FOR THIS

 

Yes I did, dude needs to chill.
It’s not that big of a deal, all one has to do is say “no thanks”.
I’ve had people message me several times concerning lps on my collection list, I don’t mind it at all.

 

Not as powerful as the ones he gave us in Slaves and Bulldozers.

 

Their next album, Down On the Upside is even worse

 

yeah, what a chap

 

What is going on here?

 

I just messaged him asking if he ships to america

 

Was it actually for sale? I have it on my Wantlist with an alert and didn’t get anything in my inbox.

 

Yes I think it’s still up.
What about the guy telling people to just settle for the 2014 reissue, unless they can find the 320 for $60!
Now I have not heard any reissue pressings of Superunknown but his opinion of it is pretty high, or maybe he is?

 

The guy replied: are you sure you really want to spend $800 on this?

Lol, this guy really doesn't want to sell this record.

 

That guy on Discogs is correct (and no I am not him. ) The 2014 of Superunknown is absolutely not a slouch, and definitely better than the original vinyl pressing. I personally A/B/C'ed the 320 vs the 2014 & the original CD multiple times on a very detailed/transparent stereo system, and also on my corrected studio monitors in my treated mixing room. From memory, the basic cliff notes in every instance was:
-320 has the biggest bottom end & sounds fantastic but lacks a touch of the detail showcased in the original cd (since that bottom end takes up more real estate and leaves a pinch less room for mids/fx to shine thru.)
-2014 is more mid-centric than both the 320 and cd, a touch more of a forward presentation. Vocals shine thru a touch more on this one. Still plenty of bottom & top. Not squashed or even noticeably compressed/overly-limited by any means. Very unlike the Badmotorfinger remaster, it is a great master & pressing.
-Original CD has a little less bottom than both. A pinch more detailed all around, as a result.

You're absolutely safe buying & cranking any of these 3 for maximum enjoyment. I'd also say that paying top dollar for the Superunknown 320 yields not much of an audible benefit in relation to its current outrageous asking prices... But to each their own. I certainly had the itch for a long time, found one, and these are the honest findings. It isn't as god-like a Master as the internet would like you to believe. It's f**cking great, no doubt, but so are the other 2 options.

 

Well my point was, I just thought the $60ish was a bit ridiculous, especially nowadays.
Hey that’s great there is a nice sounding vinyl alternative then, because the original cd and vinyl of Superunknown was/is not very crankable, the 320 sure is.

 

Well if'n someone doesn't think the old CD is crankable then they likely won't enjoy the remaster either. The high-mids displayed in the original cd & also the remaster are the only thing that can be considered offensive when compared to the 320. The 320 relaxes them @ 2kHz, which then let's the bottom & top come forward a bit more. I remember actually boosting that spot in my DAW by 3dB with a wide Q (on the 320 rip) and it sounded indistinguishable from the original CD!

So anywho... EQ preference, which your playback system's character will also either help or hinder your desired result. The 320 is more crankable if the high-mids ever annoyed you on the original CD. Otherwise, if you ever loved the sound of the original album = the ol' CD & the remaster both still bring it & you don't need to stress your mind, body & wallet over obtaining a 320.

On a side note, it kind of reminds me of the new Facelift remaster. A little less "in your face" since they dipped out high-mids in the new master. But unlike the Superunknown 320, the new Facelift absolutely did boost the lows too (since the original was lacking a bit in that dept.) So again, more crankable, but at the expense of its original sonic aggression, which to me always did also make sense with this genre. Until I got towards 40 yrs old I never once thought "man I wish this album didn't rip my head off!" Young'uns sure do love extremity...
Well, at least I did.

 

I think the original CD sounds fantastic, and I'm usually more of a vinyl guy.

 

Agreed. I have a copy of the original vinyl and I play the original CD much more often. Lots of IGD on the original vinyl makes it hard to listen to some songs (Head Down being the best example).

 

I'm happy that your far more technical view actually supports what I hear - I always felt that original CD was kind of bright a tad on the mids and since 320 is hard to get, I went for remastered LP and thought I nailed what I wanted for sure. A tad more compressed, but still enjoyable to listen to.
I also really liked the new Facelift remaster exactly for the points you mentioned - a bit more stable on mid-high, and added bass.

 

Superunknown is a super special album for me too, brought the CD when it was first released and have accumulated a few different versions over the years, mostly on vinyl now.

I have:

1994 Original Australian CD
2013 Unofficial Euro x2 Vinyl
2014 Remastered Euro x2 Vinyl
2014 Remastered US x2 Vinyl

The original CD is the one I've listened to the most of course and is the mix I'm used to. The 2014 remasters are very good on my system, I like the sound of them, but can't help thinking they could definitely sound better, more clarity and instrument separation required. I'd love to get a copy of the 2004 - 320 pressing, but I'm not paying those outrageous prices it's crept up to, I pray for a repress of this also. I have a 2003 - 320 pressing of Badmotorfinger which as most here would know sounds superb. The 2013 unofficial I have of Superunknown sounds absolutely hideous (do not buy it!). I only keep it for the original artwork which is a spot-on replica is that regard.

My favourite tracks used to be Limo Wreck and The Day I tried To Live (which I still love btw), but that's changed, now its Fresh Tendrils and Like Suicide. 4th Of July is amazing too with that double Chris vocal. So I guess I've always liked the second half of the album more..

Think I might have posted this is in another Soundgarden thread. Managed to see them live just the once on the Down On The Upside tour in 1996 and it was really awesome. There was a dark vibe to the gig, the band definitely didn't look happy, but they played brilliantly, I remember Jesus Christ Pose being particularly hectic in the mosh! They played plenty of tracks off BMF, SU and DOTUS which are my three favourite albums by the band so I was very pleased. It was a gloomy day as I remember, perfect for going to a Soundgarden concert.

RIP Chris.

 

Just took delivery of the 2014 US 200g remaster. It’s delicious to my ears and a ton better than my 1994 blue vinyl. I’m a happy camper.

 

Glad you are enjoying it. I really like it too. It has mixed reviews on discogs, different strokes I guess.\,,/

 

Soundgarden do a good job on their catalogue. Looking forward to Louder than Love being reissued.

 

This one is out there and pretty good.

 

I want live stuff

 

Are there any good (or any at all) soundgarden bootlegs? Official ones?

 

Can we just talk about the mellotron on the bridge of Mailman goddammm I love it so spooky

 

Great album. I haven’t been listening to it much mostly because my original vinyl sounds like sh#t. I remember the cd sounding much better actually.