The audio is similarly pleasing. This disc retains the previous Dolby Digital 5.0 track that was heard in the original theatrical cut. It also adds a new track: the Dolby Digital 5.1. Both, however, are actually encoded in 5.1 and there isn't a great deal of difference. The 5.1 track does deliver slightly richer bass, but the increase isn't drastic. The 5.1 track probably offers the better home theater experience, but either way, satisfactory channel separation and mixing is employed and fans will appreciate the theatrical mix' inclusion.
Hometheaterforum review says:
I can state absolutely that the new 5.1 is sadly inferior to the original 5.0 mix in every way. I’m a bit astonished…the difference is similar to what you might notice on titles where the DTS sounds undeniably better than the DD presentation: the original mix “sounds like DTS” in that it’s dynamic, unrestricted, vivid, and loaded with resolution. The presentation is stunning. The new 5.1 mix, by contrast, sounds more anemic…lacking in dynamics and basically “flat”. Even the bass response doesn’t seem as powerful…yes this is the “5.1” mix I’m talking about! The recording level also seems lower…and the whole thing sounds more compressed.
So now I'm curious.. I own the 2 disc Collector's Edition, and I would add the 1disc SE to my collection only if the the new 5.1 mix is better than the old 5.0 on my disc. Opinions anyone?
I have listened very critically over and over to both mixes, toggling back and forth. The only two differences that I have noticed are 1.) The bass is routed differently in the new mix, BUT if your home theater is set up correctly you shouldn't notice any difference AT ALL from the original...and 2.) The center channel is quieter by about -3dB on the new track. This is probably due to the fact that te original 5.0 track was often critisized for being extremely center channel-eccentric.
The new mix is slightly better, but you will not notice a difference unless you are REALLY critical of audio mixing. I have the 2-disc set, and bought the disc for this new mix alone, and It is definately NOT worth the purchase if you have the original 2-disc set.
I have to say I didn't have the same impression of the audio track as the HTF reviewer at all. I detect only a slight difference, and side with the 5.1 overall (as That1GuyPictures says), but really, don't take that as a staunch endorsement of that track. Just to clarify, "slightly richer bass" in my review is to say the bass sounds every-so-slightly more prominent in the new track, which is perhaps due to the center channel being a little more quiet, not to say that there's actually <i>more</i> bass. I apologize if the wording was confusing in that regard.
But I'll reiterate what I said in my conclusion, and that is that you really need not upgrade. The difference in the tracks is not great at all, and in my opinion, just owning a different mix is not worth the price of an inferior release. If I had the CE, I wouldn't upgrade. You could be blindfolded and have one of the tracks played and unless you are eerily perceptive, I doubt you'd know the difference. The last thing this pointless re-releasing business should do is have people like you who were wise enough to grab the good copy in time second-guessing themselves over Disney's marketing nonsense.
I would not recomend purchasing it. I haven't purchased it, but I have heard it at Wal-Mart and I have heard the previous releases and there is hardly any difference..in fact I didn't even notice.
jamminjake245 wrote:I would not recomend purchasing it. I haven't purchased it, but I have heard it at Wal-Mart and I have heard the previous releases and there is hardly any difference..in fact I didn't even notice.
You mean that you didn't hear the difference over the TWO speakers on WallyWorld's display TV sets? [sarcasm] Wow! A very well-informed recommendation to be sure! [/sarcasm]
[sarcasm] Wow! A very well-informed recommendation to be sure! 
[/sarcasm]
