“Bookends” is the fourth studio album by American duo Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1968. The album is often considered one of the duo’s finest works, and has won critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and innovative production.

The album is divided into two distinct parts. The first side of the album is a conceptual suite that explores the themes of youth, aging and loss. The second side is made up of individual songs, some of which had already been released as singles prior to the album’s release.

Among the album’s most famous tracks is “Mrs. Robinson”, which was used in the film “The Graduate” and has become one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most iconic songs. Other notable songs include “A Hazy Shade of Winter”, “At the Zoo” and “America”.
“Bookends” was a commercial success, reaching number one in both the US and UK charts. The album also went platinum, and is often cited as a major influence by many artists.

For this review, you will find 7 versions tested: Pure analog vinyl record 1969 and 1973, CDs, Mofi SACD , Mofi vinyl record

Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.

The album is composed of 12 tracks:

1. Bookends Theme
2. Save the Life of My Child
3. America
4. Overs
5. Voices of Old People
6. Old Friends
7. Bookends Theme
8. Fakin’ It
9. Punky’s Dilemma
10. Mrs. Robinson
11. A Hazy Shade of Winter
12. At the Zoo

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Vinyl Japan – 1969

Presentation

This is the Japanese vinyl record made in full analog in 1969 (ref: SONX 60012).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the vinyl record shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises above 20 kHz (yellow arrow) with signal above this frequency (white arrow) containing musical information and distortion due to the vinyl record’s operating principle.

Synthesis and listening

This Japanese edition is the clearest of the versions we’ve heard, with the vinyl sound embellishing the sound.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Save the Life of My Child 24 bits 192 kHz:

Ed 2: Vinyl Japan – 1973

Presentation

This is the Japanese vinyl record made in full analog in 1973 (ref: SOPM 103).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the vinyl record shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises above 20 kHz (yellow arrow) with signal above this frequency (white arrow) containing musical information and distortion due to the vinyl record’s operating principle.

Synthesis and listening

This 1973 Japanese edition brings more presence and better balance than the 1969 version. The pressing is very clean and gives a very pleasant, precise sound, even compared to the deeper, remastered Mofi reissue. This is the most natural-sounding of the original versions tested.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●o (4.5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : Save the Life of My Child 24 bits 192 kHz:

Ed 3: Vinyl MOFI – 2024

Presentation

This is the MOFI (Mobile Fidelity Electronics) vinyl record made from digital tape in 2024, mastered on MoFi’s Renowned System and Limited to 4,000 Numbered Copies: Mobile Fidelity’s 180g SuperVinyl 33RPM LP. Mastering workflow : 1/4″ / 15 IPS analog copy to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe. (ref: MFSV1-541)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the vinyl record shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR12.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises above 20 kHz (yellow arrow) with signal above this frequency (white arrow) containing musical information and distortion due to the vinyl record’s operating principle. The black arrow shows spurious frequencies due to spectrum folding on the vinyl record.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl MOFI – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl Japan – 1969 (blue curve).The spectrum of the Mofi “Bookends” vinyl record below shows a signal in the red zone. On a positive note, seeing this problem on the spectrum indicates that Mofi is able to burn lacquer up to 30 kHz! The same problem is found on the “On Every Street” album released in 2024, but is no longer present on the “Merry Christmas” editions. Below 100Hz, mofi vinyl has a higher level (green zone) by up to 7 dB. Between 3 and 15 kHz (yellow zone), the level of the MOFI record is attenuated by 2 to 3 dB. This difference in level will change the tonal balance of the record, as can be seen when listening to the samples.

Synthesis and listening

This is a very fine Mofi reissue, mastered differently from the SACD version. Here we find a balance with more bass and attenuated treble compared to the SACD version, which is much clearer to listen to than the vinyl disk version. The tonal balance of the voices is more modern than the original version, but still less natural than the 1973 edition.
The vinyl version has a more open sound than the digital version, due to the distortions (distortion and phase rotation) caused by playing vinyl records.
This is a very good pressing, despite a problem that affects the top end of the spectrum above 20kHz. This problem was also present on the Dire Straits – On Every Street album, but was no longer present on the Merry Christmas album.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Save the Life of My Child 24 bits 192 kHz:

Ed 4: CD Layer MOFI – 2024

Presentation

This is the CD layer of the SACD MOFI (ref:UDSACD2257)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the CD layer of SACD shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR13, like the SACD.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the CD’s 44.1 kH sampling frequency.

Synthesis and listening

Here we find the same rendering as the SACD version, with a difference in sound that may be due to the DAC used, depending on the processing carried out in PCM and DSD.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Save the Life of My Child 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 5: SACD MOFI – 2024

Presentation

This is the Mobile Fidelity’s Numbered-Edition Hybrid SACD (ref:UDSACD2257)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the SACD shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR13.

The spectrogram below represents the SACD. The yellow arrow shows that the signal rises well above 20 kHz. We also find the characteristic noise of DSD64 beyond 30 kHz (white arrow).

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl MOFI – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the SACD MOFI – 2024 (blue curve).While we might expect the same spectrum, we can see a difference in mastering between the SACD and the vinyl record produced by MOFI. There is an accentuation of the bass below 200 Hz (green zone) for the vinyl record, with a difference of up to 4 dB. Between 2 and 10 kHz (yellow zone), the vinyl level is attenuated by a few dB (1 to 3 dB). These differences are confirmed by listening. The yellow arrow indicates the rise in noise on the SACD due to the DSD64 operating principle used on this port.

Synthesis and listening

The sacd reproduces the master with less pronounced remastering than the Mofi vinyl version. The result is a clearer, more precise sound than the MOFI vinyl. Listening to it, the sound is very clean, precise and natural. The mastering is the most balanced and closer to the spirit of the original version than the other remastered versions (mofi vinyl, Tidal, CD Collection).

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4.5)

Sample : Save the Life of My Child 24 bits 176.4 kHz:

Ed 6: CD Collection – 2007

Presentation

This is the CD version of the Bookends album contained in The Collection box set released in 2007 and containing the other albums on CD and a DVD: Wednesday Morning – 3 A.M. , Sounds Of Silence – Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme – Bridge Over Troubled Water – The Concert In Central Park (DVD).

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the CD Collection shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR12.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above this frequency (white arrow) due to the CD’s 44.1 kH sampling frequency.

Synthesis and listening

This version is closer to the Mofi version with the SACD CD layer, but with a less balanced tonal balance.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Save the Life of My Child 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 7: Tidal MAX 24/192 – 2024

Presentation

The Tidal MAX version is présented in 24 bits 192 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the CD Collection shows a high dynamic range confirmed with DR12, similar to the CD Collector

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises above 20 kHz (yellow arrow) with signal up to 50 kHz (white arrow). Spurious frequencies are present above 20 kHz (black arrow).

Synthesis and listening

The Tidal version is offered in 24-bit, 192kHz high-resolution. The Master also corrects the sound balance of the original version. The rendering is very pleasant, deeper than the Mofi version, and also slightly less dynamic.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Save the Life of My Child 24 bits 192 kHz:

For this fourth Simon & Garfunkel album, a distinction is made between the digital and analog versions.
The digital version on the MOFI SACD offers the most balanced, precise, detailed and very clean sound reproduction of the digital versions.
The analog versions, on the other hand, offer a more natural sound sensation, especially the 1973 Japanese edition, although the bass is slightly recessed. This realism exceeds that of the MOFI vinyl disc, which nevertheless offers a more contemporary sound balance, but remains less natural than the SACD edition.
The choice between the original and remastered versions will therefore depend on individual tastes and preferences, with the 1973 vinyl on one side and the SACD MOFI edition on the other.

Dynamic Range measurements and spectra are shown below.

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Measurements

Dynamic Range comparaisons

Dynamic represents the ability to reproduce a wide range of sounds from the softest to the loudest. The target is to compare the dynamics of the music and not of the media (CD, digital files or vinyl).

For our 7 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :

	Vinyl Japan – 1969	Vinyl Japan – 1973	Vinyl MOFI – 2024	CD Layer MOFI – 2024	SACD MOFI – 2024	CD Collection – 2007	Tidal MAX 24/192 – 2024
Global	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR12
Min	DR12	DR11	DR10	DR11	DR11	DR10	DR10
Max	DR19	DR18	DR19	DR20	DR20	DR19	DR19
Bookends Theme	DR13	DR17	DR13	DR13	DR14	DR14	DR14
Save the Life of My Child	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR12	DR11	DR11
America	DR13	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR11	DR10	DR10
Overs	DR14	DR15	DR14	DR15	DR15	DR14	DR14
Voices of Old People	DR19	DR18	DR19	DR20	DR20	DR19	DR19
Old Friends	DR12	DR12	DR10	DR11	DR11	DR10	DR10
Bookends Theme	DR13	DR13	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR13	DR12
Fakin’ It	DR13	DR14	DR11	DR12	DR12	DR11	DR11
Punky’s Dilemma	DR13	DR12	DR11	DR12	DR12	DR11	DR11
Mrs. Robinson	DR12	DR12	DR11	DR12	DR12	DR10	DR10
A Hazy Shade of Winter	DR13	DR13	DR11	DR12	DR12	DR11	DR11
At the Zoo	DR12	DR12	DR10	DR11	DR11	DR10	DR10

As a reminder, the scale goes from 0 to more 20, but the dynamics are considered good from 12, quite good between 10 and 11, and deteriorate below 10.

Spectrum comparisons

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl Japan – 1969 (white curve) with the spectrum of the CD Collection – 2007 (blue curve).The 2 spectra are very similar, but with an accentuation at the lower end of the spectrum (green zone), with the CD almost 5 dB higher below 100 Hz. There are also small variations between 1 and 8 kHz (yellow zone), with the CD level slightly lower by 1 to 2 dB.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Vinyl Japan – 1973 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl Japan – 1969 (blue curve).The 2 spectra are very similar, but with an accentuation at the bottom of the spectrum (green zone), with the 1973 vinyl record up to 5 dB higher below 50 Hz. There are also variations above 10 kHz (yellow zone), particularly in the 10-12 kHz range, where the 1973 vinyl record is attenuated by up to 4 dB. This will have a slight impact on the tonal balance between the two versions, as can be seen on listening.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the SACD MOFI – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the CD Layer MOFI – 2024 (blue curve).The two spectra overlap perfectly up to 20 kHz , with a maximum frequency of 22 kHz for the CD layer due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency used.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the CD Collection – 2007 (white curve) with the spectrum of the CD Layer MOFI – 2024 (blue curve).The 2 spectra are very similar, but with an accentuation at the bottom of the spectrum (green zone), with the MOFI CD up to 3 dB higher below 150 Hz. There are also variations in the 1-4 kHz range, where the MOFI CD is attenuated by up to 1.5 dB. This will have a slight impact on the tonal balance as can be seen on listening.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX 24/192 – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the SACD MOFI – 2024 (blue curve).The 2 spectra are very similar, but with an accentuation at the bottom of the spectrum (green zone), with the MOFI SACD up to 5 dB higher below 200 Hz. There are also variations up to 4 kHz range, where the MOFI SACD is attenuated by up to 2 dB. This will have a slight impact on the tonal balance as can be seen on listening. The red arrows indicate spurious frequency peaks present on the PCM Tidal MAX version. The yellow arrow indicates the rise in noise on the SACD due to DSD64 encoding, not present on the Tidal version, which is in 24-bit 192 kHz PCM.

Detail of the ratings :

• Dynamic :
  1. Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
  2. Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
  3. Correct piece DR >=10
  4. No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
  5. No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
• Spectrum :
  1. Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
  2. Spectrum cut at 15 khz
  3. Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
  4. Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
  5. Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
• Surface noise (only for vinyl):
  1. Continuous audible noise
  2. Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
  3. Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
  4. Low surface noise, very good quality
  5. Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
• Spatialization :
  • Between 0 and 5 for 5.1 or 7.1 channels configuration
  • Between 0 and 10 for Atmos configuration (7.1.4)
  • For more information on spatialization, you can read the article describing this parameter here.
• Restitution :
  1. Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  2. Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  3. Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
  4. High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
  5. Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.

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