Number Ones is a compilation of Michael Jackson s greatest hits, originally released in 2003 and featuring major tracks from Billie Jean to Smooth Criminal. For the first time, this selection is available as a double LP vinyl edition since January 30, 2026, with 18 iconic tracks from his career. This pressing offers an analog overview of the highlights of the King of Pop, covering his disco, pop, and funk eras. The release comes in different vinyl variants (black, red, or white, depending on the retailer) for fans and collectors.

But does this vinyl edition live up to expectations?

For this review, you will find 2 versions tested:

• Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026
• Ed 2: Vinyl record – 2026

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

The synthesis of the review are available here

Other albums reviewed:

The album is composed of 18 tracks:

1. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (2003 Edit)
2. Rock with You (Single Version)
3. Billie Jean
4. Beat It
5. Thriller (2003 Edit)
6. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You (feat. Siedah Garrett)
7. Bad
8. Smooth Criminal (Radio Edit)
9. The Way You Make Me Feel
10. Man in the Mirror (2003 Edit)
11. Dirty Diana
12. Black or White (Single Version)
13. You Are Not Alone (Radio Edit)
14. Earth Song (Radio Edit)
15. You Rock My World (Radio Edit)
16. Break of Dawn
17. One More Chance
18. Ben (2003 Live Edit)

The track order is different between the vinyl and digital editions.

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026

Presentation

Tidal MAX version presented in 24 bits 96 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR7

The waveform of the Tidal MAX – 2026 version shows a low dynamic range confirmed with DR7.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises up to 48 kHz due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency. The spectrograms clearly reveal which tracks come from an analog master and which originate from a digital master, with a more pronounced cutoff around 22 kHz, as this is a compilation featuring different albums that used various technologies during their production.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl record – 2026 (blue curve).The curves of the two spectra overlap almost perfectly up to 15 kHz. Beyond that point, the vinyl level decreases, reaching a difference of more than 5 dB at 20 kHz.

Synthesis and listening

No surprises with this digital edition of the compilation originally released in 2003: it features heavily limited dynamics, which strips away much of the energy found in the original CD releases. This is disappointing for a compilation.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●ooo (2)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5)

Sample : Beat It. 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 2: Vinyl record – 2026

Presentation

For the first time, now available on vinyl. This double LP was mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering, with lacquers cut at Nashville Record Productions. Tracks order :
A Side
A1 – Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
A2 – Rock With You
A3 – Billie Jean
A4 – Beat It
A5 – Thriller

B Side
B1 – Human Nature
B2 – I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
B3 – Bad
B4 – The Way You Make Me Feel
B5 – Dirty Diana

C Side
C1 – Smooth Criminal
C2 – Black Or White
C3 – You Are Not Alone
C4 – Earth Song

D Side
D1 – Blood On The Dance Floor
D2 – You Rock My World
D3 – Break Of Dawn
D4 – One More Chance

Waveform and Spectrum: DR10

The waveform of the Vinyl record – 2026 version shows a correct dynamic range confirmed with DR10.

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

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl record – 2026 (blue curve).The curves of the two spectra overlap almost perfectly up to 15 kHz. Beyond that point, the vinyl level decreases, reaching a difference of more than 5 dB at 20 kHz.

Synthesis and listening

The vinyl version is not spared from this dynamic compression either. The waveform clearly shows the use of a limiter that completely flattens the dynamics. The effect is slightly less pronounced than on the digital version, due to the cutting process, which artificially restores some apparent dynamics in reality, this is a deformation introduced during cutting, essentially a form of signal distortion, as explained in article “Does analog media force a dynamic on music?“.
It appears that little effort is now being made with vinyl releases, and the analog format is no longer being respected. It is also worth noting that more than 50% of vinyl records are never actually played. Overall, this is an edition to avoid, unless you are a collector or simply want the large artwork.
Too bad, since the vinyl features a careful pressing and low surface noise.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3)

Sample : Beat It. 24 bits 192 kHz:

It s often nice to have a compilation of an artist s best tracks, but when the original sound is sacrificed for a compressed master, and even worse when the vinyl edition is affected by the same issue (see also article “Vinyl succumbs to Loudness War: more than just collateral damage!“) , the result is far from a high-quality production. It s therefore better to revisit the original albums for the best listening experience!

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 2 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :

	Tidal MAX – 2026	Vinyl record – 2026
Global	DR7	DR10
Min	DR5	DR8
Max	DR9	DR10
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (2003 Edit)	DR07	DR10
Rock with You (Single Version)	DR07	DR09
Billie Jean	DR07	DR10
Beat It	DR07	DR10
Thriller (2003 Edit)	DR07	DR10
I Just Can’t Stop Loving You (feat. Siedah Garrett)	DR08	DR10
Bad	DR07	DR10
Smooth Criminal (Radio Edit)	DR06	DR10
The Way You Make Me Feel	DR06	DR10
Man in the Mirror (2003 Edit)	DR07	DR09
Dirty Diana	DR05	DR10
Black or White (Single Version)	DR05	DR09
You Are Not Alone (Radio Edit)	DR07	DR10
Earth Song (Radio Edit)	DR06	DR09
You Rock My World (Radio Edit)	DR07	DR10
Break of Dawn	DR05	DR10
One More Chance	DR06	DR08
Ben (2003 Live Edit)	DR09	DR09

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.

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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