Film scores are always carefully crafted to deliver optimal sound in theaters, with impressive dynamic range. The presentation of the Michael movie soundtrack suggests an excellent listening experience, in stereo only, as no immersive version is available. Exceptional soundtrack or disappointment?

That’s what we re about to find out in this review.

For this review, you will find 3 versions tested:

• Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026
• Ed 2: Vinyl Record – 2026
• Ed 3: Cassette – 2025

Other albums reviewed:

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

The album is composed of 13 tracks:

1. I’ll Be There
2. Never Can Say Goodbye (Single Version)
3. Who’s Lovin’ You
4. Medley – I Want You Back ABC The Love You Save (Live from the 1981 U.S. Tour)
5. Ben (Live from the 1981 U.S. Tour)
6. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
7. Beat It
8. Thriller
9. Billie Jean
10. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
11. Human Nature
12. Workin’ Day and Night
13. Bad (2012 Remaster)

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Tidal MAX – 2026

Presentation

This is the Tidal Max presented in FLAC 24 bits 44.1 kHz.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR9

The waveform of the Tidal MAX – 2026 version shows a low dynamic range confirmed with DR9.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises to 22 kHz with no signal above this frequency due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Vinyl Record – 2026 (blue curve).The near-perfect overlap of the two spectra indicates the use of high-quality equipment for the lacquer cutting.

Synthesis and listening

Here we have a remastered version with limited dynamic range, far from what you would expect from a film soundtrack that fully uses dynamics to deliver a more lively theatrical experience. This version remains clearly inferior to the original versions, which offer a more dynamic and open sound.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●ooo (2.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3)

Sample : Beat It. 24 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 2: Vinyl Record – 2026

Presentation

This is the vinyl record presented in 2 LP 33,33rpm (ref: 199584404516)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR11

The waveform of the Vinyl Record – 2026 version shows a good dynamic range confirmed with DR11.

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 Vinyl Record – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Cassette – 2025 (blue curve).The cassette spectrum shows an increase in level below 500 Hz, reaching up to +2 dB (green area), and above 2 kHz, a gradual attenuation, exceeding -10 dB at 20 kHz (yellow area). The cassette therefore has a less clear tonal balance than the vinyl record.

Synthesis and listening

The vinyl version offers a sound closer to the original versions than the digital one. However, it still does not fully reproduce the energy of the original releases. The graphs (spectrum, waveform) seem to confirm the use of a dynamically compressed digital master as the source for this vinyl edition. The difference in dynamic range is therefore likely due to a transformation of the original signal (cf.: Does analog media force a dynamic on music?).

Rating:

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

Sample : Beat It. 24 bits 192 kHz:

Ed 3: Cassette – 2026

Presentation

This is the Cassette version of this album (ref: 199584362144)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the Cassette – 2025 version shows a very good dynamic range confirmed with DR12.

The spectrogram shows that the signal rises above 18 kHz with signal above this frequency containing noise due to the cassette record s operating principle.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Cassette – 2026 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Tidal MAX – 2026 (blue curve).The cassette spectrum shows an increase in level below 500 Hz, reaching up to +2 dB (green area), and above 2 kHz, a gradual attenuation, exceeding -10 dB at 20 kHz (yellow area). The cassette therefore has a less clear tonal balance than the digital version on Tidal.

Synthesis and listening

The cassette was played on two Nakamichi decks (LX-3 and 480), and the same sound rendering is observed on both machines. Its quality clearly shows a lack of high frequencies compared to the vinyl or digital editions. However, this cassette is far from reaching the best quality the format can offer. The measured dynamic range is higher than the digital version, but it is difficult to determine whether a specific master was used or if it comes from the digital master. Indeed, recording a dynamically compressed master onto tape (or cassette) can cause signal deformation, altering the dynamics (cf.: Does analog media force a dynamic on music? ).

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Surface noise: ●●●oo (3)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5)

Sample : Beat It. 24 bits 96 kHz:

While film soundtracks are usually very dynamic, including the music, one could have expected this film to deliver a reference-quality compilation. However, it falls short, with the now-common presence of dynamic range limitation associated with the loudness war. No Dolby Atmos version is available to offer a more immersive and potentially more dynamic alternative. We ll have to wait for the video release to compare these versions with the Dolby Atmos TrueHD track from the upcoming Blu-ray edition.

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

	Tidal MAX – 2026	Vinyl Record – 2026	Cassette – 2025
Global	DR9	DR11	DR12
Min	DR7	DR9	DR10
Max	DR11	DR12	DR14
I’ll Be There	DR10	DR10	DR10
Never Can Say Goodbye (Single Version)	DR09	DR11	DR12
Who’s Lovin’ You	DR11	DR11	DR11
Medley – I Want You Back ABC The Love You Save (Live from the 1981 U.S. Tour)	DR10	DR11	DR12
Ben (Live from the 1981 U.S. Tour)	DR10	DR09	DR10
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough	DR09	DR12	DR14
Beat It	DR07	DR12	DR12
Thriller	DR08	DR11	DR13
Billie Jean	DR08	DR11	DR13
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’	DR08	DR10	DR12
Human Nature	DR08	DR11	DR13
Workin’ Day and Night	DR08	DR11	DR13
Bad (2012 Remaster)	DR08	DR11	DR13

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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