Okay, I got my copy of this soundtrack in the mail today and WOW, I have to say this music sounds A LOT different when it's not coming out of the DS speakers. I'm not sure if the speakers make that much of a difference, if the tracks were remastered or if the soundtrack contains the tracks as they were before they were programmed for play in the game. Very good question. They have a lot more "depth" and bass to them. I'm really use to the way these tracks sound in the game however... not all the changes are for the better...

Does anyone have the scoop? Is this the norm for DS based soundtracks?

I'll have to try playing the game with some headphones and see if these extra details are in the game and blocked by the speakers.

It's completely normal for DS (and other handheld) soundtracks to sound superior to their in-game versions. Your audio equipment is irrelevant; something has been done to improve the sound. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance was the first one I can recall clearly differentiating the discs between in-game versions and improved versions.

I have been playing picross 3d on DS and the music is cool through the DS speakers, but one day I plugged in headphones and WHOA, there was depth and nuance in the music that the speakers never hinted at. Subtle bass lines, faint instrumentation. And these were cheap-o headphones.

Albums may be remastered, isn't that what the Gyakuten Saiban soundbox was all about? However my point is to just plug headphones in to actually hear the music, the speakers stink

Indeed/

The Soundbox does indeed sound better. Even compared to the original release of the first game's remake on CD.

This. I was surprised to find out Mario Kart DS has basslines! The DS speakers are terrible.