Usually when I have a choice between mono and stereo versions of music (The Velvet Underground and Nico and Pet Sounds are the only other examples I can think of) I go with mono because I’m under the impression that that’s what the music was originally intended for, but with the Beatles I really want to be sure.
What do you all recommend in this case, and in general? (obviously with Pet Sounds mono’s the only way to go)
You know, I should know the “official” version of this and assume it to be mono, but I don’t want to say for sure. The bulk of their catalogue was originally recorded in mono, so for that reason alone it is the default position.
Mono really sounds different; it expands the size of the canvas - at the expense of some separation, but it can be viewed as a choice, not a restriction - like some movies simply work better in B&W, and that format can portray deep beauty in its unique way (Wings of Desire, anyone?). For the Beatles’ work - especially the stuff from Rubber Soul on - their amazing use of that bigger canvas is a key factor in their sound and innovations.
Geoff Emerick, who was the engineer on Beatles recordings from Revolver until the end, thinks you should go for the mono version.
Quotes are from his book Here, There and Everywhere, which I bought on WordMan’s recommendation… The white album was mixed in stereo only, I think.
I think George Harrison once said something about preferring the mono vinyl. I don’t know if that mono yawp is transferrable to digital format.
Ah, thanks, **Crotalus **- I didn’t have any of my books in front of me here at the office. I knew there were POV’s in the stuff I had read, but couldn’t call them up…and if anyone would know it would be Emerick…
The White Album was mixed in mono, but Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road, and Let It Be were stereo-only and thus do not appear in the mono set. The mono versions of Help! and Rubber Soul also feature the original stereo mixes from 1965.
I’m working at home today, and Emerick’s book has a good index. 
I will be waiting for you guys to tell me which to buy on Sept 10
It looks like I’m going for mono, then. I don’t need their last three albums, anyway. I’m much more interested in the mono cd debuts of Rubber Soul and Revolver! It does bother me that the mono one is $35 more expensive on amazon even though it’s missing those three albums.
Here’s an interesting comparison I found between the mono and stereo versions of the first 13th Floor Elevators album: Mono vs. Stereo || “Psychedelic Sounds…” 1966 | Rising Storm Review
The mono version is so much better that it’s almost hard to believe.