Its the same guy mixing it that mixed the 2004 version though. If he called that "a labor of love" why would he suddenly turn 180 degrees? I mean, it's not like he just screwed up one or two things, like the music channels in the end battle of SW, the mix is just a mess wholesale. They needed a new mixer, not the same guy doing it twice. It's like Ben Burtt editing the prequels--"maybe he'll get it right this time." And maybe Ben Burtt just can't edit.

I don't know about Matthew Wood's background, I know he's been working with Burtt for a while now in various ways, but mixing is its own art and some "sound guys" just can't mix. I know Wood didn't mix any Star Wars audio before 2004, and in general Star Wars mixes have been pretty high quality in the past. But whatever, I don't really give two shits about the Special Edition with more audio changes, the 1997 5.1 was very good and has less intrusions than any version since. Personally, I'm too jaded by the 2004 release to give anyone involved the benefit of the doubt.