The Fall – [1982]

This set is a new mastering.
I looked at Hex Enduction Hour and Room to live.

Hex Enduction Hour:
Comparing Hex to the 2005 Sanctuary Remaster, while containing the same material the "1982 Box Set" is louder, more compressed and high frequencies exaggerated. The Sanctuary Remaster got it right. It's not fair to compare these to the original Kamera or Line vinyl pressings because these have been modified to fit over 30 minutes per side on vinyl which of course we know kills amplitude, EQ and dynamics. It would be interesting to hear the triple-vinyl Cherry version, obviously that would have needed a remaster to cut a lacquer but the key is what recording they started from. Still I will give the triple vinyl a thumbs-up from what others have said about it.

Room to live is a little more complicated.

Room to live - Album tracks
The comparison between the 2005 Sanctuary master with the "1982 Box Set" edition yields the same result with this Box set too compressed and bright. The original Line vinyl pressing sounds great and so does the 2005 Earmark 180gm pressing. Best choice is either of the vinyl if you have the right gear, otherwise the Sanctuary master of the album.

Room to Live - Live tracks
Here is a different story. The Sanctuary remaster is loud and very compressed while the new box set is properly mastered with good dynamics. The Earmark double LP sides 3 and 4 are also excellently mastered.

So if you are searching for the best sounding masters it is:
Sanctuary for 'Hex' (or the triple LP)
Any vinyl pressing of 'Room', second choice Sanctuary CD
This box or the Earmark have the best sounding live material on expanded Room TL

I did not compare the other 4 CDs in this set.

Quick question...anything exciting in the packaging/booklet? If one has the Sanctuary releases is there any reason to pick this up?

Typo alert - "And This Day (Revisited)" is from 1997, nor 1987.

The only thing to complain about is that there's nothing new here: everything's already been released, mostly on Sanctuary; BUT: the music is wonderful, some of The Fall's absolute best is here, the presentation is imho just beautiful, cardboard reproductions of the original vinyl album covers that are made with great care & diligence. Nothing for the diehard fan but a good entry point for the freshly arrived in the wonderful & frightening world of The Fall

The title says 1982, but there are tracks from 1981, 1983, even 1987...It's obvious that Cherry Red is really trying hard to make some extra money from The Fall's enormous output. Judging from other releases of the label in the recent past, there's only one thing to suggest: don't buy this one.