The Beatles – Abbey Road

The CD’s vocals seem to be way more forward than the vinyl. Am I crazy?

Is there really a big difference between the single version and the box set version? How major is it actually?

I really don't understand the hate for these remixes. I also don't understand the acclaim for the original mix. Abbey Road has never sounded tremendous to me. Clearly I'm in the minority.

What this remix does is give the impression of instruments taking place in real space. The original Come Together is a good example. The drums are locked to one channel and sound quite thin, which gives the impression that it was recorded separately, even though it wasn't. It's not lacking in clarity or anything, but it doesn't sound realistic. In the remix, they're spread across the stereo spectrum, which makes it sound a little more like it's in a room... like the band is actually playing together live. Not necessarily more realistic in this specific example, but it works. Similarly, Paul and John's vocals are no longer melded together in the centre. Paul is separated a little more which again sounds more realistic to me and gives the song's individual elements more distinction. While there's a certain aspect that sounds great about the two voices interlocked with Paul hanging slightly overhead, I think it also gives it a more depth with him separated. The guitars also benefit greatly from a widened image which enhances the textures of the song, which I think is something Come Together has a real emphasis on: texture.

Something is similar. The original orchestration is subtle... which isn't at all a bad thing, but it doesn't give the impression of what an orchestra is... a bunch of instruments in a room. It sounds thin in the original and lacks presence. Now it actually sounds like it's reverberating around the walls as it would in real life. Ringo's opening cymbals for example also have far greater clarity and impact because of it, which makes it a more profound intro.

While there's a warmth and unique sonic quality to the original that has subsided in this remix (which would offend feelings of nostalgia) and occasionally detracts marginally from tracks like I Want You and Maxwell's... it doesn't sound digital or clinical to me. There's a lot of life to this mix and mastering and across the board there's so much more depth and nuance to the audio now, which brings out more of the music itself.

While my system isn't particularly bass heavy, it's also far from bass shy. I have no issues with "too much bass" whatsoever. I'd say it's similar to the 2009/2012 remaster in this regard. It's very prominent but it's never overwhelming or negatively distracting.

As for the outtakes, they're awesome and sound awesome.

This is a very good version. A memorable and fresh version. Half speed transfer have something different that will be ed.

Love the new mix and the outtakes, but disappointed at how much surface noise there is after a good clean. Still glad to have this!

On my system, the new mix sounds a bit different but as good as my UK 1st pressing. I do welcome this remix and I like this anniversary presentation

Even if it is nice with the extra LPs, having heard this album since I was an infant and always regarded this as the crown in their careers, I must say, that if you meddle wth perfection, you are going to fail.
I do not like the "New Mix" / Butchering one bit. Had this included the Real Deal and an extra LP on the side with the Inferior Re-Mix, I guess I would have liked it so much better, cause I could see it as a joke/prank.
With an incorrect cover, as this isn't the Album Abbey Road but a mere decoy, I'd say that this is a straight-out fraudelent release.

The remix is clearly inferior to the original - compared this to UK and Danish first pressings, and even my spotified daughter noticed the difference. Outtakes are great though.

They should redo this box, and the boxes for the white album and sgt pepper's, to include the book. The vinyl versions are budget releases, while focus has been on cd releases. Strange!

if this was the only copy of this album you could get its fine. Next to an early pressing its dull and quite boring sounding. Just a very bland mix and quite low in volume. My modest 1980 Australian press blows it out of the water