Quote:
Originally Posted by Numbskull
Just heard the stereo mixes as my room is not condusive to a surround system.
Nevertheless, one would expect the stereo mixes to be treated to an excellent and sympathetic mastering, which has not been the case. The stereo mixes just sound flat and cold and harsh, and completely lacking in dynamics or warmth (and I have quite a warm sounding system). Abacab - from the middle box - is a very good example of an album that was previously very punchy and dynamic, and is now just lifeless.
I have also heard from a small minority that the surround mix is a little over-compressed (although most seem to love it, to be fair).
When I first heard the TIOA Tour Edition CD, I was honestly completely disgusted with the results, so pledged not to get the 80's boxset.
The original TIOA CD actually sounds very nice by comparison (this one was not mastered by Tony Cousins, which may be a factor - not criticising him, it's just he may have a different mastering style that I particularly despise).
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What kind of a sound system do you have? CD player, amp, speakers? Hi resolution formats demand good quality equipment to be heard properly on. A mediocre or bad stereo system will make these sound even worse. For instance, a bad car stereo system won't be able to handle the superior resolution and detail of these cds, and it will come out sounding like mishmash.
For example, try playing a really good well mastered clean looking DVD of a good movie on an old TV you bought years ago from Walmart. Now watch that same DVD on a nice properly calibrated television with a superior picture, on an upconverting DVD player. There will be no comparison. I think a lot of people who are complaining of overcompression etc may not have the stereo equipment to take advantage of the superior technology. I don't know if that applies in your case, but I have seen this come up before.