So has anybody listened to the actual CDs?  I'd love to have a version of the FF4 OST where the tracks actually loop, but I've been watching this thread to see what impressions of the real thing are.

If you've already received the cd you probably have the bad version. CDJ is holding orders until SQEX releases the fixed versions. There was a problem with the cd and a handful of tracks are missing the beginning of the track. SQEX is doing an exchange program but only local to Japan (which is why CDJ is kind enough to hold international orders until the problem is resolved)

There's a decent discussion over on the vgmdb forums about it, surprised/forgot to cross post here

the problem is only Disc 2 Track 12 - two seconds are missing from the beginning of the track (not dead air - just comes in at that point).

CDJ has removed the listing for FFIV Remaster OST presumably until they start making copies that are good.  If you bought a first print with the problem (like I have), CDJ has said they'll work with SQEX to get their international customers a fixed disc.  Just waiting on details from them.

In terms of this question, it sounds slightly fuller than the original. but to my ears there's not much difference. of course the extended track time is appreciated.

Well as somebody who frankly apparently isn't sophisticated enough to hear most of the complaints people make here about mastering and whatnot, I'll probably be fine with it.

Well, ya know, once the entirety of the music is actually on the discs. 

Thank God I saw this! I have the bad version and just thought Square-Enix just really doesn't give a flying f*** about their releases anymore.

Here's a list of my impressions from this release

1) Track 12 of Disc 2 ("Dancing Calcobrena") does have the first 1-1.5 seconds clipped at the beginning. I immediately thought of "Dress You Up" from Madonna's "Celebration" compilation. The "Like A Virgin" version of "Dress You Up" has 4 drum beats before the track begins, where "Dress You Up" on the "Celebration" compilation had the first 3 drum beats clipped. Only one drum beat then the track starts.

2) "Battle 1." I know this track like the back of my hand. It is so joyous and exuberant to me, it has 1,234 plays on iTunes, and this is just from a year. To me, the "Remaster Version" is not as bright as the original version, nor from the free FLAC version of "Final Fantasy IV" I took from The Pirate Bay (I paid for the original version of this album, plus the DS version, plus the Remaster Version. I don't consider it stealing at this point).

Does anyone remember Dolby Noise Reduction (NR)? I feel like the NR filter was turned on during the mastering of "Battle 1." In fact, I feel most, if not all the tracks have that NR filter applied.

3) The bonus tracks "The Paladin," "Inn" "Fanfare 1" and "Fanfare 2." These tracks should end cold, instead, the last 3-4 seconds the track begins to fade out. It's almost as if these tracks had an auto fade-out applied. Why?

4) Enough space remained on the CD compilation to add the tracks from the "Final Fantasy IV Minimum Album," but this item is minor quibbling compared the other items.

Would this be considered an inadvertent collector's item?

I hope collectors aren't that maniacal.

Also, the track for "Rydia" only loops once. I also think "Within The Giant" has some type of noise reduction filter on as well.

I think this release, along with the Final Fantasy V & Final Fantasy VI are simply cash grabs. This particular album really needed a re-release, but it had to be exactly right, and it is not.

I am just rather disappointed.

Have there been many positive reports about improvements of sound quality in the FFIV and FFV OST remasters? I have heard very little about them. I have the FFVI OST already so is there any reason I should be considering the remaster?

Sorry to derail, but would there be much purpose to a Genesis listening test?  It would be akin to a taste test between Pepsi and Fanta.  The differences between Genesis and the OST are palpable.

Yeah I didn't put that quite right.  In the case of SoM what I meant was it'd be interested to compare Genesis to OSV since having never heard the OSV (only the various arrangements) I wouldn't have any preconceived notions of what the soundtrack should sound like.  Telling which version is which would no doubt be easy enough though.

As for Final Fantasy V and/or VI, I think I really will do a blind comparison.  Should be doable to make a smart playlist that sorts by track order but randomly for which album version comes first, then I can just hide the album column and star the tracks I prefer.  Just need to set aside a good 4-6 hour chunk to listen.

FFIV is a bit louder (and it's not my imagination, a look at the wave form prooves it), though not at all 'brickwalled'. Otherwise it's basically the same. I assume FFV and VI are similar.