One of the iconic albums of the 90's. The 5.1 with on screen videos is fantastic. I voted 10 and purchased the day of release, a must for my collection.
Can anyone convince me to spend that money on it?
It's not a bad surround mix by any means- I think it's better than either of the Soundgarden 5.1 releases. The reviews upthread mostly have it down. It's not terribly discrete, but I'm not really sure how much channel separation you can expect from a '90s grunge album. A lot of the guitar overdubs probably sound similar, and really spreading things out might seriously change the overall sound/vibe of the album. It's very true to the original dense "wall of sound"-style production.
That being said there are some interesting and rather adventurous mixing choices, particularly the decision to split the Vedder/Cornell duet in "Hunger Strike" front and rear. I actually think this was a really cool quad-esque idea, but something is off about the balance. It's curious to me that some members upthread complained about Vedder's vocal in the rear overpowering Cornell's vocal in the center channel. On my system (especially in my car), it sounds like Vedder's vocal is buried in the rears. When he comes in the volume noticeably drops. So that's a bit annoying. I've been meaning to tinker with the files to see what's up with that.
Overall I'd say it's decent (probably the best this album will ever sound), but I'd wait for some kind of sale.
Decided to check this one out too (never listened to it before, lol)... "Hunger Strike" sounds great to me! Nice mix, and the vocals sound balanced to me as well. Time to settle in for the whole album...Thought I'd spin this again, since I've radically changed my system.
Cornell's and Vedder's vocal still sound very well balanced.
Though I find I need to cut back the subs a bit, compared to my favorite reference discs.
It occurs to me that placing a lead vocal part in the rears is pretty rare. Especially with another lead vocal in the mix (a duet). Normally backing vocals are mismatched from leads (quite a bit lower). So, differences in level and presence are to be expected with bgvs in the surrounds and lead up front. With a duet split front and rear, any imbalance (in the system, the mix or both) is going to be far more noticeable.
I should totally do it on the next album, just to piss people off!Wow, reading back through this thread there is a lesson to be learned for future mixing engineers: don't split lead vocals front/rear, lol!
I did get it for $73. Here is my theory of why as I also bought the super unknown super deluxe a couple months ago for I believe $100. These are brand new from amazon just to clarify.But you scored it for $73? Damn.
Now....if you are really smart and look hard enough especially on eBay I’ve picked up Brand New copies off there for $50 shipping included all within the past 6 months or soI did get it for $73. Here is my theory of why as I also bought the super unknown super deluxe a couple months ago for I believe $100. These are brand new from amazon just to clarify.
I have on my “music wishlist” or have had badmotofinger, superunknown, TOD, imagine, and other multi channel releases/expensive box sets. I generally check the list every day and out of the blue amazon, like today will have it marked way down, but like mentioned when I bought at this price it said only 1 left in stock.
They can see pretty much all we do I’m sure so I wonder if they decide hey this weirdo checks his list every day, let’s drop the price for a day and see if he buys it......ha. I doubt that’s exactly how it goes as they are one of the The largest companies in the world but I’m sure it has something to do with it?
Ha true, I actuallhad been looking on eBay also. I’d prefer to get from amazon however but I’ve bought my fair share off eBay over the years also.Now....if you are really smart and look hard enough especially on eBay I’ve picked up Brand New copies off there for $50 shipping included all within the past 6 months or so
Just for example someone was offering it for $70 or best offer....Nuff said
There's a live performance on the BD that isn't surround, but so damn good it's worth the price if admission, imo. Most of the clips are crap though.Well I finally sprang for this one of my favourite albums from way back in the 90's given the bad rep I was not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised.
Much better than I was expecting.
Mixing choices were sometimes flakey but how often is there a perfect surround mix ?
Watching right now totally awsomeThere's a live performance on the BD that isn't surround, but so damn good it's worth the price if admission, imo. Most of the clips are crap though.