About sound quality: You can compare the vinyls with the 2011 CD Remasters by Bob Ludwig. They have the same quality. Personally I think the 2011 Remasters sound way better than the first digital remasters from the 90s. I tried to listen to both vinyl and CD, and I think they sound very similar. The later records like Innuendo and Made In Heaven sound pretty awesome too. If I remember correctly Innuendo was originally released on 1 LP. The Studio Collection version comes as a 2LP set. As a rule the sound will usually be better when done properly on a double LP because of less compression.
This set is also 180g vinyls, done half speed at Abbey Road studios, so there is no doubt that this is a high quality product.
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/bob ... VkHVMrG.97When it comes to first press vinyls in general (the original Queen vinyls from the 70s), it is true that these will sound very good (if undamaged and in mint condition), because of course they were made 100% analogue, from the recording process to the final product. This was also the period when people knew how to produce good quality vinyls. Vinyl was the thing back then. But the first press ones were NOT 180g vinyl though. They were much thinner and does not feel as solid as the new ones.
So what to buy? For me there was no question really, I wanted brand new LPs, and I liked the idea of the box set complete with a book describing album by album from Queen to Made In Heaven. I also like the color vinyls over simply black. It is a piece of artwork. But some prefer black and originals. As with most things, it is a question of what you prefer. You won't go wrong with a first press vinyl, but mint ones are getting rare, and I am not taking a chance buying used ones on eBay. But I bought Live Magic, as the cover art on this one is pretty cool, featuring a giant photo of the last Queen concert at Knebworth 1986. The sound quality on Live Magic is also one of the best from Queen according to a site judging sound dynamics:
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list? ... ive+Magic+ Some Queen fans criticised Live Magic for cutting away half of BohRhap and some other songs, but the sound is excellent.
A bit off topic with Live Magic, but I forgot to mention the cover artworks. In The Studio Collection 3 albums are more outstanding than any other Queen records, that is Queen II, ANATO and Innuendo. Queen II is especially beautiful with a stunning high resolution photo in glossy finish. The other covers in this collection is just average, nothing special. The cardboard is good quality though and better than the originals.