Latest news with #AbbeyRoadStudios
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road Studios Just Dropped a Pair of Limited-Edition Loudspeakers
After 45 years of musical collaboration, Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road Studios have decided to celebrate. The audio giant and the iconic recording studio have teamed up on a pair of exclusive loudspeakers based on B&W's 801 D4 Signature. The 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition lives up to its moniker as only 140 pairs will be available worldwide. More from Robb Report This New Single Barrel Anejo Tequila Will Appeal to Diehard Whiskey Drinkers The Coppola Family Has Owned This Hollywood Home for Decades-It Can Be Yours for $2.3 Million Meet the 2027 Ferrari Amalfi. Here's What to Know. The design of the new speakers pay homage to Abbey Road Studios' Studio 2. The pair both feature a bespoke red leather by Connolly trim, which matches rather well with the features of the recording space; the duo is also hand-finished in vintage walnut, inspired by the various instruments that have graced the studio throughout the decades. Each loudspeaker comes with a unique plate on its rear panel, denoting that it is one of those 140 pairs. And, as a cherry on top, the pair is accompanied by a special book, which shares the history of both storied companies. After all, Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road Studios have been a duo for quite some time. The partnership started back in 1980, when the audio brand's founder, John Bowers, stopped by Abbey Roads Studio to show off his new speaker, the 801. Designed to be the ultimate loudspeaker for hi-fi enthusiasts, it was also made to be incredible accurate in the studio. Abbey Roads Studio quickly became the first in the world to use the 801; since then, six generations of B&W 800 creations have been put to use by the team at Abbey Road. The recording hot spot, famously known for its work with the Beatles, has also crafted music for the Harry Potter, Black Panther, and Barbie films, as well as Lady Gaga's Born This Way album. 'Abbey Road's relationship with Bowers & Wilkins is a decades-long celebration of sound and technology,' Jeremy Huffelmann, Abbey Road's general manager, said in a statement. 'I'm delighted we have collaborated to create the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition together, honoring our shared history with an outstanding representation of the values, heritage and credibility of both our brands.' The 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition, retailing for $70,000, is already sold out, so you'll have to find the pair on the secondary market. But if you'd like to experience other audio offerings, Bowers and Wilkins has plenty up for grabs on its website. Click here to read the full article.
South China Morning Post
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Jurassic World Rebirth composer on following in John Williams' footsteps
French film composer Alexandre Desplat is highly focused, jotting down notes on a score before heading into Studio 1 at London's Abbey Road Studios. Advertisement There, 100 members of the film orchestra await him. Moments later, unleashed by a sweeping gesture from Desplat, dramatic music fills the air. Recording is in full swing for the soundtrack of Jurassic World Rebirth, which hits cinemas on July 2. After the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010/11), Desplat has again taken on the challenge of creating music for a film series with an original score composed by the legendary John Williams, famed for the Star Wars and Jaws theme tunes, among many others. 'There's a moment of panic because you know that you're taking over,' says Desplat, himself a fervent admirer of Williams, who he calls 'a b****y genius'. 'It's hard to come after him.' Advertisement Williams' famous theme also features in the seventh part of the series that began in 1993 with Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park.
Geek Vibes Nation
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Pink Floyd: Live At Pompeii' Blu-Ray Review - An Awe-Inspiring Performance From One Of The Best
Pink Floyd At Pompeii pre-dates the release of The Dark Side Of The Moon. The film documents what Pink Floyd did before they became giants of the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic – where their music remains celebrated to this day. Set in the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy, this unique and immersive film captures Pink Floyd performing an intimate concert without an audience. Filmed in October 1971, the performance marked the very first live concert to take place at Pompeii, and features the vital 'Echoes,' 'A Saucerful of Secrets,' and 'One of These Days.' The breathtaking visuals of the amphitheatre, captured both day and night, amplify the magic of the performance. Additionally, the film includes rare behind-the-scenes footage of the band beginning work on The Dark Side of the Moon at Abbey Road Studios. For thoughts on Pink Floyd: Live At Pompeii, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: Video Quality Pink Floyd: Live At Pompeii comes to Blu-Ray with a stunning transfer that blows any previous release out of the water. Sony presents the film with a miraculous 1080p transfer sourced from a new 4K digital restoration of the 35mm Original Camera Negatives for both the full-length movie and a version to view only the performances. For years, the negative was presumed to be forever missing, but the recent discovery of this lost treasure is a dream for fans. The level of detail and clarity is exceptional with the appropriate amount of natural film grain intact. The fine grain resolves quite well without ever being clumpy or unsightly. The texture on display in the clothing and within the background landscapes is a revelation. Even facial details like the perspiration of the performers present with impressive clarity. This presentation is authentic to the original look of the film without the added clarity making any visuals feel out of place. The film is essentially free of all dirt and damage, which makes the feature feel like it captured an event you could have attended yesterday. There does not appear to be any jarring digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding or any other such nuisances. The film features some nuanced colors within the clothing and the natural world that leap off the screen with a vibrant intensity. The black levels are strong with nothing in the way of crush present, and highlights are solid with no trace of blooming. This presentation is a top-tier effort. Audio Quality This Blu-Ray comes with three excellent tracks; first up are new Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 tracks remixed by Steve Wilson from the original source material crafted by Charles Rauchet and Peter Watts. The disc also includes the original LPCM 2.0 stereo mix that sounds like a dream. Each track adds its own unique perspective to the experience that provides an expertly designed audio experience. Music is the main purpose of the film, and it comes through in a rich and vibrant manner without any instances of age-related wear and tear or damage. Many of these songs are performed with a confidence that allows them to sound better than the recorded versions, and this is showcased perfectly here as the music saturates the room. The filmmakers do a fine job of capturing the behind-the-scenes interview portions and making sure all of the exchanges come through with the utmost clarity. Ambient sounds are precisely deployed in the appropriate channels. The addition of the height channels in the Atmos mix expands things out for an all-encompassing journey. These audio tracks are working on many different levels with disparate elements that come together to create something quite magical. Optional Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Latin American Spanish subtitles are provided. Special Features Feature Film (1:25:01) and Concert (1:02:48) Viewing Options Booklet: A multi-page booklet with release credits and archival photos is provided. Final Thoughts Pink Floyd: Live At Pompeii is one of the most stirring performances from one of the greatest bands of all time. While the focus of the experience is the great music, the behind-the-scenes footage gives you some insights into the personalities of the band members. The command of the camera is incredible as it captures some indelible imagery. It does not get much better than this. Sony has delivered a new Blu-Ray that offers a 5-star A/V presentation, making this a vital purchase for fans of the band. Essential Pink Floyd: Live At Pompeii is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Sony Music Vision has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bowers & Wilkins Gives Its Elite Audiophile Loudspeakers a Refined Upgrade
The iconic British hi-fi manufacturer is releasing a beautiful new version of its 'very best loudspeaker.' Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more The Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature is its flagship floorstanding loudspeaker in its high-end 800 Series Diamond. A pair costs $60,000. The famed British audio maker introduced them two years ago, in June 2023, as a 'more optimized' version of its $110,000 Nautilus, which are still its most expensive (and radically designed) loudspeakers. The two pack similar technologies, but the 801 D4 Signature has a more conventional loudspeaker design and is significantly easier to set up. (It also doesn't resemble an alien spaceship quite as much.) Now, in celebration of its 45-year relationship with an iconic British recording studio, B&W is releasing a special edition version of, according to the brand, its 'very best loudspeaker.' The Bowers & Wilkins 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition loudspeakers are a joint effort between B&W and Abbey Road Studios, the iconic British studio where countless bands and artists — from The Beatles to Adele, Pink Floyd to Ed Sheeran — have recorded. As legend has it, the relationship began when John Bowers visited Abbey Road Studios in 1980 to showcase the original 801 loudspeaker and demonstrate its suitability for both studios and hi-fi enthusiasts. Since then, six successive generations of Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series loudspeakers have, according to the brand, 'graced and been embraced by the world-class studio engineering team in Abbey Road's control rooms.' These special-edition loudspeakers celebrate that 45-year bond. With these Abbey Road Limited Edition models, Bowers & Wilkins says that it is taking the best loudspeaker it makes — the flagship 801 D4 Signature — and reframing it in homage to the world's most iconic recording studio. The limited edition models have new vintage walnut cabinets that are 'inspired by the studios' iconic interiors and the countless iconic musical instruments that have enriched recordings at Abbey Road over the decades.' To compliment this this wooden finish, B&W has added a bespoke red Leather by Connolly trim that 'references both the aesthetic of the control room in Studio Two, arguably the world's most famous individual studio space, and the red leather chairs used by generations of performers throughout Abbey Road.' That's right, Bowers & Wilkins will only sell 140 pairs of these limited edition loudspeakers. On the back of each loudspeaker, near its rear panel, a unique identifying plate will be located, marking it as one of the 140 pairs. Additionally, if you order one of these special-edition loudspeakers, you'll get a book that details the history of the two brands and features never-before-published photography. This new look and the commemorative add-ons comes at a price. A pair of the Bowers & Wilkins 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition loudspeakers costs $70,000, which is $10,000 more than B&W's flagship 801 D4 Signature loudspeakers go for. These special-edition loudspeakers are available now and can be ordered directly through B&W. $70,000 at Bowers & Wilkins Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol's editorial team since 2014. As a Tech Staff Writer, he tracks everything in the consumer tech space, from headphones to smartphones, wearables to home theater systems. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volvo's Abbey Road Mode Turns the EX90 Into a Personal Music Venue
Volvo's Abbey Road Mode Turns the EX90 Into a Personal Music Venue originally appeared on Autoblog. Music is an essential part of driving, whether through your car's radio, on physical media, or a streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music. Some of us have that special mixtape, burnt CD, or mixtape full of the essential tracks meant to lift the spirits on the morning commute, the drive home, or a long drive somewhere far away. One of the bands I grew an unhealthy, obsessive fixation over when I was a kid was The Beatles, and ironically, one of those songs on one of my driving playlists is Drive My Car. Though we know the words and notes of our favorite songs by heart, the most discerning ears know that there are wildly different and noticeable differences when we listen to them in our cars, our headphones, and through various types of speakers. Nothing can compare to the experience of attending a live performance or being in the room with artists as they record. However, if you're a Beatles fan like I am, you might need a time machine to experience that era. But while time machines and flux capacitors remain the work of fiction, Volvo's latest software update has a cool new feature that may be the next best thing: a way to bring you closer to one of the most iconic studios in the world. After teasing this feature last year, Volvo has officially introduced what they call the 'Abbey Road Studios Mode' in an over-the-air (OTA) update for its all-electric EX90 models equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio system. This innovative digital audio experience has been crafted in collaboration with audio engineers from the actual Abbey Road Studios in London and high-end audio experts at Bowers & Wilkins. In essence, Abbey Road Studios Mode was made to replicate the distinct sound and acoustic character of the Abbey Road recording rooms inside the Volvo EX90. In its quest to explore the limits of the in-car music listening experience, Bowers & Wilkins worked closely with the same audio engineers who obsessed over the minute, fine details for a wide range of music artists to create a series of digital soundscapes that could bring the studio alive in the big Volvo EV's ultra-quiet cabin. Though other expensive brand-name high-end stereo systems in other cars allow you to tweak, tune, and mess with various equalizer (EQ) settings like the balance, bass, treble, and even focus the sound on passengers or drivers, Volvo says that the Abbey Road Studios Mode is different. The mode comes with some special presets that 'provide a selection of sounds, optimised for different listening styles,' as well as a special 'Producer Mode,' which 'allows you to engineer your own sound' by adjusting between retro-style warmth or modern, crisp depth, and even shifting the simulated acoustic environment in the same way George Martin would've done. 'The Abbey Road Studios Mode brings the unique sound of our spaces and equipment to the Bowers & Wilkins system in the Volvo EX90 for the first time,' Abbey Road Studios GM Jeremy Huffelmann said in a statement. 'We are hugely proud of this collaboration, and excited for Volvo customers to experience this landmark technology.' The Abbey Road Studios Mode is a nice addition to the EX90, which already features a Dolby Atmos-capable, 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins system with 25 speakers placed throughout one of Volvo's quietest interiors. As a music fan, words underestimate the kind of songs that were recorded at Abbey Road. We're talking 190 of The Beatles' 210 song catalog, Lennon's Imagine, the entirety of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of The Moon, modern hits like Lady Gaga's Born This Way, Frank Ocean's Pink + White, and even the scores of Oscar-winning movies like Gravity and The Shape of Water. Although it may seem like a bit too much of a niche "if you know, you know"-type of deal, I feel that given the studio's rich history in modern music, the 'Abbey Road mode' is the ultimate form of an audiophile's stamp of approval, which can sway at least some music-loving buyers towards the Volvo. At least for me, it could make "Drive My Car" sound true to the original recording. Volvo's Abbey Road Mode Turns the EX90 Into a Personal Music Venue first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
