Soundgarden – Superunknown

This is probably my favourite album of all time. Owned this on multiple CDs (including original one which I still have), US original vinyl pressing, the 2014 vinyl reissue and now I own this. Unfortunately, don’t have the 320 cut.

I have a decent stereo system with Technics SL-D202 turntable and ATVM95ML (microline) stylus. Definitely modest so take my comments with a grain of salt.

1994 Original Brazilian Pressing:

This is actually my second time owning this Brazilian press (believe it or not this album is way too special for me). The first time I got it, it was a bit noisy but nothing bothersome. The record sounded a bit quiet (cut at a low volume) but once turned up it sounded good. However, I always felt like there was a “blanket on my speakers.” I assumed the record was worn out and got a second copy.

My second copy is NM. Oddly quiet and flat discs. This one sounded better than the first copy but had the similar sonic profile (after all they are cut from the same master).

It sounds dynamic but as another reviewer has mentioned, it sounds “relaxed.” I am no certified audio engineer but I am a musician and when I record music, I pay a lot of attention to the 4 kHz to 6 kHz frequency range as this is where the song’s/instrument’s presence (clarity and definition) lies. I feel like this pressing’s relaxed presentation is due to the odd EQ’ing in this frequency range. This is why the vocals sometimes get buried and the guitar lacks “bite” and the drum loses some air around it.

There is no question it is the most dynamic version of this album I have heard. However, without good presence, it doesn’t work for me that well.

1994 US Original:

Hot garbage. Bought it and sold it immediately. My original CD sounds much better. It was a harshness overload experience.

2014 Vinyl Reissue:

Every time I look at this reissue, I get sad. What a wonderful opportunity to finally remaster this album, yet they decided to compress it, bloat the low end and tip the high frequencies (i.e smiley face EQ).

Oddly though, I would not consider the Brazilian pressing a huge upgrade from the 2014 reissue. They both have their pros/cons - if dynamics with less definition works for you, get this. In most formats/previous reissues (minus the 320 cut which I have never heard) the record is so compressed that the dynamic range on this Brazilian press is a breath of fresh air to my ears.

If you are tight on budget/hoping for a major upgrade, I wouldn’t pay the on this record. If I am honest, the Down On The Upside reissue (Optimal Pressing) and the 320 cut of Botorfinger smokes both the 2014 reissue and this Brazilian version of Superunknown (but of course I am now comparing oranges to apples).

I have no regrets getting this as this album has defined me as a musician and Michael Beinhorn’s production approach is a guiding light for me when I work in the studio (check his interviews where he describes how he produced the album).

My pressing sounds fantastic. It is a joy to listen to.

This pressing KILLS the european original! So much more pleasant to listen to. Vinyl is a little noisy but you only notice it in between tracks on a clean copy. Would love to find a copy of the 320 pressing, but until then I am perfectly happy with this one.

After such a proper packaging I thought the music would be on the same level, well I was wrong, like others have said - mastering is not very good.

Bought this thinking it was the "made in Poland" version https://discogs.programascracks.com/release/25791373-Soundgarden-Superunknown - as seller listed this under the wrong issue (facepalm). I see what people are saying. Some songs sound great, but overall it's quite compressed and not very dynamic.

I’ve tried to like this pressing since I bought it when it came out. It just never sounded right to me compared to CD. I actually prefer the 2014 vinyl reissue but I still feel like it could sound better. Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s preference. Good grief will someone reissue this properly and with care. I’ve never heard the Brazilian original or the 2001 reissue which get good reviews. My point is, think twice before shelling over big bucks for a US original.

Why do people seem to think this pressing is AAA? On what planet were they ever going to send original master tapes to for some random reissue? In 2001?

Presentation is ace, love the artwork, gatefold and inner lyric and credit booklet. Anti-static inners as well, just a shame the sound quality isn't exactly what they d as "audiophile".

It is a hot album, but the original CD sounds more dynamic and clear to my ears.

There is too much bass on the remaster and everything else is muddy and squashed, and also found a fair bit of sibilance on Black Hole Sun which sounds pretty bad, and then I heard She Likes Surprises oh my lord it is sibilant and extremely distorted. Some songs like Let Me Drown and Like Suicide sound alright. It's not the worst I've heard though and it's the only affordable option as opposed to an original.

Oh jeez, Marcussion loves to botch a lot of masters and remasters, just listen to Primus' Tales from the Punchbowl 2018 vinyl reissues and the original master of Stone Temple Pilots' No. 4 on CD.

Presentation: 5/5
Pressing (pops, skips): 4/5
Mastering (audio source): 3/5
Sleeve: White Anti-static Inners

Setup (turntable, stylus): AT-120XUSB, AT-VM95ML

I already left my comment on the disappointing mastering of this record. I guess a lot of people reading these reviews maybe interested collecting a good sounding Soundgarden vinyl so thought I’d share my experience.

I recently bought Down On The Upside (Optimal/German press. Please avoid the US pressing). It sounds amazing in of stereo image and dynamic range. I was not a big fan of that album but the mastering for vinyl was the tipping point for me!

Right after listening to that record, it reminded me how badly we need a good mastering of Superunknown. One day, some day…

I actually owned almost all the variants of this 2014 reissue just because I wanted to make sure I have the best version of the remastering. Unfortunately, the mastering on this one is quite disappointing. It’s not uber compressed but it is a fatiguing experience. I have tried this on both my MP110 and VM95ML, still difficult to tame the harshness sometimes. However, this is just my subjective opinion and I don’t mean to disregard others who are enjoying this reissue.

I recently bought Down On The Upside (Optimal/German press. Please avoid the US pressing). It sounds amazing in of stereo image and dynamic range. I was not a big fan of that album but the mastering for vinyl was the tipping point for me!

Right after listening to that record, it reminded me how badly we need a good mastering of Superunknown. One day, some day…