leftywrote a review
2017-05-29Verified purchase
It just sounds like Sgt Pepper! - but it's still great
Ok, firstly I need to get this out of the way, because I tried not to be bothered by it, but it has bugged me to be honest.
My order of the Sgt Pepper Deluxe Box Set arrived by Amazon logistics in just the manufactures packaging with my address label stuck on. . .this seemed fine, because the packaging was really pretty good, however, on opening the box I seen straight away that the set wasn't shrink wrapped?. . .what?, a premium Beatles item not in shrink, this seemed strange.
What also bothered me, was probably as a result of the none shrinkwrap, the top corners of the slip case are slightly bent and crushed in. . .this has really bugged me because I have since watched a good few unboxing videos online, and in each case the deluxe sets were all factory shrink wrapped, so what's going on with Amazons stock here?,
Has anyone else had an unsealed copy?
Anyway, it's a really nice set, it has a very premium feel to it, as for the 2017 Stereo remix. . .well, I'm not sure exactly what I'm supposed to be hearing that's really different?, I've heard this album so many many times, and this 2017 remix just sounds like Sgt Pepper overall. I feel it's always sounded pretty good across different releases.
If anything, I will say that the overall audio is much more prominent, sometimes to the point where it actually sounds like it might start distorting, this is particularly true for the opening track (Sgt Pepper), which sound a little harsh here and there I think.
What I definitely did notice was a few cool things I hadn't heard on over versions, including a phasing effect on Johns vocals on Lucy In The Sky, which is subtle but there, also on George's Within You Without You, there's an extra crowd clapping near the end, plus a few other things,
So, overall the deluxe is a nice set, I still have the Mono mix and the blu ray to watch yet, but basically the stereo remix didn't blow me away like I thought it might, again, I realise that realistically, there is a limit to exactly what can be achieved and there must come a point where the human ear can't determine a big difference, to me, it just sounds like Sgt Pepper which at the end of the day is a fantastic album, whichever version you listen to. . .
UPDATE!!!! - Since my initial review, i have listened on good quality speakers a few times and it sounds great, i mean really good indeed. Not only are the vocals crisp and clean, but Paul's bass is now kicking in the mix, as is Ringo's drums which are right up there. I have read a good few reviews that suggest the Vinyl is even better, due to being cut to the format untouched, where as the CD version has limiters applied!!. I'm about to buy a new turn table, so i have treated myself to the double LP. . . .which arrived today