The quad reel of The Best of the Doors reveals new spatial life in some of the band’s most iconic recordings, with vocals, organ, and guitar opening out into clearly defined quadrants. Tracks like “Riders on the Storm,” “People Are Strange,” and “Light My Fire” gain atmosphere and width, especially the ambient effects and keyboard lines that sit more freely in the discrete 4-channel field. At 7½ ips, the presentation is smooth and warm, with better separation and less congestion than the stereo LP compilation. It’s a musically strong and immersive showcase of the Morrison-era catalog, enhanced by Elektra’s detailed quad mixes. A desirable title for quad collectors and Doors fans looking for the most expansive versions of these classics.

Playback Note:
This is a discrete 4-channel quadraphonic reel. To hear the full quad mix, you’ll need a quad-capable 4-channel deck and system. It will still run on a standard 2-channel machine, but the mix simply folds down to stereo.

Why Collectors Care:
Discrete quad reels were always niche and produced in very limited numbers, which is why they’ve become sought after today. The real magic is in how the mix behaves in quad: acoustic textures separate, guitars and keys slip into their own space, and layered vocals wrap naturally around the listener. It turns the album into a small, immersive environment rather than a flat front-facing mix.