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Mono recordings and my new respect for them

At 61 I owned plenty of recordings with a mono version when young.  Until recently, thanks to streaming, I have a new respect for mono.  I mean why own a STEREO to listen an antiquated version of music? (My young self would have scoffed...)

So for the last few years I have been learning online about the advantages. And of course the initial fact that most people had mono reproduction so music was mixed to that standard.   Makes sense.

Thanks to streaming I get to hear plenty of mono.  It has its appeal for sure!  Just listened to "I can see for miles" by The Who.  It had great stage and sound and was not just one narrow beam of sound.

So hurray for Mono and the streaming revolution in general!  I get to relearn so much music from my past that I thought I had nailed!

 

Happy Listening!

guscreek
larryi
4,218 posts
 

Some reissues offered both original stereo and mono versions, like the Cream recordings I have.  The monos actually sound better in many respects.  Among the best sounding recordings ever made are mono recordings, like the 1956 Sonny Rollins “Saxophone Colossus.”

bassbuyer
377 posts
 

Agree that listening to some mono recordings can be preferable to stereo.  The Beatles Revolver reissue has both mono and stereo recordings of Rain and Paperback Writer.  Have a listen and see which version you prefer.  Enjoy! 

mahler123
3,499 posts
 

The sixties classic rock early stereo releases were problematic.  

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,572 posts
 

Are you playing mono sources though a 2 channel stereo? I have two mono setups using a single speaker, lots of depth but not much width. Still sounds very good.

stuartk
3,206 posts
 

@larryi 

Some reissues offered both original stereo and mono versions, like the Cream recordings I have.  The monos actually sound better in many respects. 

Agreed. I have the MofI Gold version of Disraeli Gears and have always preferred the mono tracks. 

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