Mobile Fidelity： I have a deal for YOU!
United States of Analog | June 29, 2023
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video covers the Mobile Fidelity (MoFi) class action settlement that the host Bob has just received in the mail. He’s discussing the legal paperwork and settlement process for audiophile vinyl records produced by Mobile Fidelity between March 19, 2007 to July 27, 2022. Bob is going through the settlement documentation and explaining how it might affect him as a long-time MoFi customer and collector.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Mobile Fidelity records: Bob owns many dating back to late 70s/early 80s, with about 24-36 inches of MoFi records on his shelf. Notes that earlier records aren’t included in the class action suit.
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:02:37] Bob states he won’t return his MoFi records and thinks “Mobile Fidelity puts out a really good product”
- [00:02:41] He doesn’t want to implicate MoFi in guilt or wrongdoing, though acknowledges “they probably could have been more upfront with the way they were making their records”
- [00:03:12] He doesn’t believe filling out the settlement paperwork is an admission of guilt by MoFi
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:00:00] Opens dramatically with “Honey, I’m home! It’s here! It’s here!” about receiving legal paperwork
- [00:00:08] “Get out the good one!” (presumably referring to alcohol)
- [00:01:27] “I don’t really even know what a class action suit is, because I’m not a lawyer. I’ve got a buddy down the road that’s a lawyer. I’m not going to get him involved in this mess.”
- [00:02:32] Sarcastically comments that the settlement process will surely be “easy” and “only take up a few minutes of my day”
Summary
Bob from United States of Analog begins this video by dramatically announcing he’s received the Mobile Fidelity class action settlement paperwork in the mail. He explains this relates to a story broken by Mike from The In Groove about a year ago, and affects MoFi records produced between March 2007 and July 2022. Bob admits he doesn’t fully understand class action suits since he’s not a lawyer, but he’s going through the legal documentation to see how it affects him as a customer.
Despite the legal issues, Bob maintains his support for Mobile Fidelity as a brand, stating he thinks they put out good products and he won’t be returning his extensive collection of MoFi records. He owns decades worth of Mobile Fidelity pressings, with about 24-36 inches of records on his shelf. While he acknowledges MoFi could have been more transparent about their manufacturing processes, he doesn’t want to imply guilt or wrongdoing on their part.
The video takes on a somewhat humorous tone as Bob navigates the legal paperwork, joking about getting out alcohol to deal with the situation and sarcastically commenting about how “easy” the settlement process will surely be. He’s particularly interested in Article 7 of the settlement, which discusses how to get settlement payments, though he approaches the whole situation with a mix of curiosity and reluctant resignation.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- Mobile Fidelity (MoFi) records [00:03:54]
- MusicDirect [00:04:22]
- UHQ-R or One Step pressings [00:05:45]
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- The legal settlement forms from MoFi are overly complicated with “pages and pages of stuff to fill out” [00:03:28]
- People who bought MoFi records on the secondary market will be “S.O.L.” (out of luck) for the settlement [00:04:23-00:04:31]
- He doesn’t have time to read through all the legal documentation [00:04:59-00:05:00]
- He’s offering MoFi a chance to “redeem yourself in my eyes” [00:06:16-00:06:21]
Were there any price/value assessments?
- The settlement offers either a 5% payment or 10% coupon for each individual record [00:04:46-00:04:52]
Any vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- Elvis Costello’s “This Year’s Model” [00:06:25-00:06:28]
- Elvis Costello signed “Armed Forces” (described as “a banger”) [00:06:28-00:06:34]
- Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” [00:06:34-00:06:37]
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- “Mobile Fidelity. I will take this. I will incinerate it. You will never hear from me again.” [00:05:16-00:05:22]
- “I make this offer that you cannot refuse” [00:05:35-00:05:38]
- Contact email given as “Bob’s Rock News at Gmail dot com” [00:05:49-00:05:52]
Summary
The host is discussing Mobile Fidelity’s legal settlement paperwork that has arrived in mailboxes, finding it overly complicated with extensive documentation requirements. He’s particularly frustrated that people who bought MoFi records on the secondary market won’t be able to easily participate in the settlement, as they lack the required proof of purchase documentation that MoFi or MusicDirect might have on file.
Rather than deal with the complex legal forms, the host makes a tongue-in-cheek “offer they can’t refuse” to Mobile Fidelity. He proposes to destroy his settlement paperwork and waive all future claims in exchange for one free UHQ-R or One Step pressing, giving them until July 4th to respond to his email address. He frames this as giving MoFi a chance to redeem themselves in his eyes.
To demonstrate his legitimacy as a MoFi customer, the host shows several of his Mobile Fidelity pressings including Elvis Costello’s “This Year’s Model,” a signed Elvis Costello “Armed Forces” album that he calls “a banger,” and Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms.” His approach combines frustration with the legal process and a somewhat playful attempt to negotiate directly with the company outside the formal settlement structure.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
Gear, Products, or Brands Discussed
- [00:07:53] Mobile Fidelity (MoFi)
- [00:07:16] UHQR Sergeant Peppers – purchased for $50 in 1982
- [00:07:37] Mystic Moods Orchestra (MoFi No. 3)
- [00:07:58] One-step recordings
Host’s Final Verdict or Conclusion
[00:07:53-08:26] The host presents Mobile Fidelity with an ultimatum, offering them a settlement deal and giving them until July 4th to respond via email ([email protected]).
Final Recommendations
[00:07:58-08:04] The host demands “one coupon for one one-step” that he gets to choose as his settlement offer.
Memorable Closing Quotes or Strong Final Opinions
- [00:06:56-06:57] “You want receipts? I have receipts.”
- [00:08:24-08:29] “All right, MoFi. Let’s get it done. You can cross one person off your list. Me.”
- [00:08:42-08:46] “Of Analog. I don’t even know the name of my own channel. Dumbass.” [said by another voice]
How the Video Wrapped Up
[00:08:30-08:46] The video ends with the host signing off “We’ll see you next time on the United States of Analog,” but then stumbles over his own channel name, calling it “United States of Audio” before correcting himself, with another voice calling him a “dumbass.”
Summary
In this final portion, the host escalates his dispute with Mobile Fidelity by presenting detailed evidence of his vintage purchases, including original receipts and certificates of authenticity dating back to 1982. He showcases prized items like a $50 UHQR Sergeant Peppers album and the rare MoFi No. 3 Mystic Moods Orchestra release, emphasizing his meticulous record-keeping by noting he even tracked how many times he played each record and stored certificates in plastic bags.
The host then delivers an ultimatum to Mobile Fidelity, demanding a settlement of one coupon for a one-step recording of his choice, giving them until July 4th to respond to his email address. His tone becomes increasingly assertive as he declares “You want receipts? I have receipts” and challenges the company to resolve the matter, stating they can “cross one person off your list.”
The video concludes on a somewhat comedic note when the host stumbles over his own channel name during the sign-off, calling it “United States of Audio” before correcting himself to “United States of Analog.” This moment of confusion is punctuated by another voice calling him a “dumbass,” adding an unintentionally humorous end to what was otherwise a serious confrontation with the audio company.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
