Rolling Stones Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Box Set Remains Unequaled
There are new remasters of the Rolling Stones album collection, but no current remaster is as good as the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs box set released in 1984.
If you want the best sounding stereo versions of the Rolling Stones hit albums, the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Box Set is the best. Released in 1984, the limited edition collectors’ albums are only available in vinyl, although bootleg copies have been ripped and are sometimes seen sold on eBay on CD.
According to Mobile Fidelity Sounds Labs, the original master Rolling Stones tapes, from which the music in the collection was transferred, were meticulously tracked-down in both England and America. Altogether, more than 60 boxes of recording tapes were examined and auditioned, until the genuine original masters were discovered.
The box set includes:
- “The Rolling Stones”
- “12 x 5”
- “Out Of Our Heads”
- “Aftermath”
- “Between The Buttons”
- “Their Satanic Majesties Request”
- “Beggars Banquet”
- “Let It Bleed”
- “Get Yer Ya’s Ya’s Out”
- “Hot Rocks”
The first three albums (“The Rolling Stones”, “12×5”, and “Out Of Our Heads”) were originally recorded in the mono format, while the next six albums were recorded in true stereo. According to Mobile Fidelity Sounds Labs, “Hot Rocks” was a compilation of mono and stereo tracks that they “transferred from the original master tapes…carefully spliced together by MFSL’s engineers.”
Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs used the original (British) Decca master recording tapes, except for “12×5” and “Out Of Our Heads”, which were originally recorded in America and first released by London Records. The albums were pressed on “JVC Super Vinyl” for optimum sound. They come housed in an attractive hard box with “The Rolling Stones” engraved in red and a nice ball-lock closure. The box set comes with large full color book with 3-D cover and all artwork from the LP’s and more. All LP’s house in thick individual red sleeves with thick inner sleeves.
The box set can be purchased in new and used condition on sites like Amazon.com and Discogs.com. A box set in very good condition is currently selling for around $750 to $1,000. While the albums are a significant investment, the sound quality is truly unparalleled.