The Mono Collection

I received my Kinks Mono box set today, and am just blown away by both the packaging (my copy did not have the degraded album cover issues that were reported by others) and the quality of the mono. There is only one clunker of an album in the set (Live at Kelvin Hall), but even that is interesting, if not particularly great listening. The Ray Davies curated Black Album is the jewel in the box. I recommend this highly to both Kinks aficionados, and new listeners. This is a very strong set of music, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

This review is on the sound and not the packaging.The packaging is not the best, but it is decent. I know some people have had issues with Amazon shipping this, but for me it came in great shape and packaged pretty good.The set does seem a little flimsy, which sucks, but I got over.At the end of the day, as long as the music sounds good that is all that matters.I have heard a few original albums and liked what I heard. (I'm only 33).I put on Face to Face to start with to compare an original to this one. I was pretty blown away with the sound. The new recordings sound fresh and like they have a bit more life.I haven't heard everything, but I really can't wait. Village Green sounded amazing and full, as did Kinda Kinks.The set is priced a bit high in my mind for how cheap it feels, but it's a lot of work to get these recordings sounding this good and I am fine with that. (Conflicted over the price, but it being less than $200 is worth it).The Beatles in Mono sounded great (the Japanese MF is still the best), but I believe the Kinks was done better.People will disagree with me, but that is my opinion.I can only hope that one day The Kinks get the respect they deserve.I also hope they release everything else they did over time in a box set (1970 - 1993)

As others have noted, the individual album covers/packaging are/is pretty shoddy (outer box was fine); have of the 10 LPs covers in mine were chewed up at the top. But also as others have noted, the LPs themselves (the vinyl, the recorded sound quality) are quite nice. As I bought the collection for the music and not as a collector or display item, I'm satisfied.

I buy a lot of records. You'd be surprised how many "premium box sets" arrive with at least one defective disks, banged up corner, torn sleeves (cougheveryledzepplincough). This Kinks box is hands down the highest quality box I've ever seen from a manufacturing standing... And the recordings? Incredible. Blew. My. Mind.

Excellent. Great. Stupendous. Everything went as right as you would hope.

If you're a Kinks fan, then you already know you have to own this. If not, I'm betting you will be a fan after you hear this set.The set is very comprehensive, taking the listener from the early (lighter pop) years to the far more introspective later days.The sound is fantastic. I have listened to the set on JBL studio monitors and I don't think recordings from this era could sound much better. The glorious mono sound can't be beat.The Kinks are one of the most important bands to arise from Britain and there is no better way to enjoy them than this set!

awesome

This is a must have for anyone into the kinks. Amazing mono boxed set!!

This is a great set of some of the best rock music ever made, and the analog mastering sounds wonderful. Others have complained about the quality of the sleeves, and it's true that they are not authentic reproductions of the originals, but I am not really bothered by it. My only real complaint would be the decision to include the Kinks compilation (black album) instead of a complete collection of non-LP tracks. As a result, there is some crucial material missing like "Set Me Free" and "I'm Not Like Everybody Else". In fact, the press release for this set (excerpted in the Amazon description) mentions "I Need You" which is not included! I recommend keeping your eyes peeled for a copy of The Kinks Are Well Respected Men, a 2LP set of all their non-LP releases in mono. That collection compliments this set nicely.

Just wading through this wonderful vinyl box set. Fantastic audio quality. I’m slightly too young to remember much of their output (apart from the obvious hit singles) so am really enjoying this marvellous retrospective journey. Takes me back to a time when life was so much simpler. Highly recommended 👍🏻

Quality up with the Stones Mono set. The best sounding Kinks product to date (and I go back to the originals which I brought at the time)

The sound is amazing and I recommend the Kinks Mono Collection if you want to hear their music like it was meant to be heard.

Amazing Boxset beautiful booklet and the sound quality compared to original 1st pressing i own is just Awesome