Shania Twain is a Canadian country-pop singer. She has released five studio albums in her career. Her latest album, “Now,” was released in September 2017. Before that, she released “Up!” in 2002, which was a big commercial success. Shania Twain has been honored with several decades of awards since 1993. Queen Of Me is the new album of the singer.

For this review, you will find 4 versions tested: Qobuz Hi-Res, Tidal Master, Apple Music Lossless and Apple Music Dolby Atmos.

Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.
The synthesis of the review and the samples are available here

The album is composed of 12 tracks:

1. Giddy Up!
2. Brand New
3. Waking Up Dreaming
4. Best Friend
5. Pretty Liar
6. Inhale/Exhale AIR
7. Last Day of Summer
8. Queen Of Me
9. Got It Good
10. Number One
11. Not Just A Girl
12. The Hardest Stone

* only on DVD and Blu-ray

First we will analyze each edition in detail (technical and qualitative analysis), then we will compare the successive editions with their dynamics and assign a final score, and you will be able to listen some samples.

The streaming versions may evolve over time, those presented here correspond to the version tested at the date of publication, or update of the review.

Review of the editions:

Part 1: Presentation of the editions

Part 2 : Waveform and dynamique comparaison

Parts 3 : Spectrum comparisons

Part 4 : Spectrogram comparaisons>

Part 5 : Spatialization

Part 6 : Summary, scoring and Sample

Part 1: presentation of the editions

Ed 1: Qobuz Hi-Res – 2023

Presentation

This is the Qobuz Hi-Res of this album presented in 24 bits 96 kHz.

Ed 2: Tidal Master – 2023

Presentation

This is the Tidal Master encoded in MQA (24 bits 96 kHz) and decoded by Audirvana in 24 bits 96 kHz. Can also be decoded in in 24 bits 96 kHz by MQA DAC.

Ed 3: Apple Lossless – 2023

Presentation

This is the Apple Music Lossless of this album presented in 24 bits 96 kHz.

Ed 4: Apple Dolby Atmos – 2023

Presentation

This is the Apple Music Dolby Atmos release of this album.

Part 2 : Waveform and dynamic comparaisons

Waveform

The waveform represents the 12 tracks of this album.

The graphs below represent the waveforms of the stereo versions (Qobuz, Tidal and Apple Music). For all these stereo versions, we note a very important use of the dynamic limiter which shows a signal that is pushed very hard in level as shown by the flat areas in the yellow zone and confirmed by the measurement of a DR5.

The graphic below is a zoom of the waveform of the stereo version. We can see the presence of many clipping zones (yellow zone) which degrade the quality of the signal as shown in the article Loudness war, the limit of the 0dB in digital or Analog better than Digital?

The graphs below represent the waveform of the Apple Music Dolby Atmos version. Unlike the stereo versions, the Dolby Atmos binaural version is dynamic with important variations of the sound intensities, which is confirmed by the measurement of a DR12.

The waveform comparison below represents the stereo and binaural Dolby Atmos samples from Apple Music. Both samples are adjusted to the same level of -16.4 LUFS to allow for a better visual comparison. The difference in dynamics between the two samples is very significant, it is easily visible and also audible as seen when listening to the samples.

Dynamic

Dynamic represents the ability to reproduce a wide range of sounds from the softest to the loudest. The target is to compare the dynamics of the music and not of the media (CD, digital files or vinyl).

For our 4 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :

	Qobuz Hi-Res – 2023	Tidal Master – 2023	Apple Lossless – 2023	Apple Dolby Atmos – 2023
Global	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR12
Min	DR4	DR4	DR4	DR10
Max	DR6	DR6	DR6	DR13
Giddy Up!	DR4	DR4	DR4	DR12
Brand New	DR4	DR4	DR4	DR11
Waking Up Dreaming	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR10
Best Friend	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR12
Pretty Liar	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR13
Inhale/Exhale AIR	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR12
Last Day of Summer	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR12
Queen Of Me	DR6	DR6	DR5	DR13
Got It Good	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR11
Number One	DR6	DR6	DR6	DR12
Not Just A Girl	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR12
The Hardest Stone	DR5	DR5	DR5	DR12

The measurement of the Dynamic Range brings out 2 categories, the stereo versions with a small DR5 and the Dolby Atmos version which is really more dynamic with a DR12, as confirmed by the analysis of the waveforms.

As a reminder, the scale goes from 0 to more 20, but the dynamics are considered good from 12, quite good between 10 and 11, and deteriorate below 10.

Part 3 : spectrum comparisons

Spectrum

The Spectrum allows to check the tonal balance of the music (balance between treble, medium and bass sounds) and to detect process that may have been carried out during the recording, the mixing, mastering or manufacturing phases. It is also possible to detect frequency interference issues.

The spectra of the Tidal and Qobuz stereo versions overlap perfectly up to 25 kHz, beyond that, there is a small variation in the background noise level.

The spectra of the Tidal and Apple stereo versions overlap perfectly up to 25 kHz, beyond that, there is a small variation in the background noise level.

The spectra of the Apple Music Lossless (blue) and Apple Music Dolby Atmos (white) versions are slightly similar, with differences in levels (yellow zone) in the bass and also in the treble above 15 kHz with an attenuation of 10 dB at 20 kHz, which will give a less brilliant rendering than the stereo versions. The Dolby Atmos version is limited to 20 kHz due to the Dolby Digital Plus (or Dolby AC4) encoding.

Part 4 : Spectrogram comparaisons

Spectrogram

Spectrogram is another representation of frequency versus time of a track. For each channel (right and left), horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. The amplitude is represented by the intensity (brightness) of the color of each point in the image.

The spectrogram below represents the stereo version of Qobuz, Tidal and Apple Music. The yellow arrow shows the limitation to 25 kHz. Beyond this frequency, we find peaks which are more a rise of the modulated background noise than a continuity of the music (white arrow).

The spectrogram below represents the Apple Music Dolby Atmos version. The yellow arrow shows the limitation to 20 kHz due to the Dolby encoding. Beyond this frequency, there is no signal (white arrow).

Part 5 : Spatialization

Spatialization allows you to define the sound distribution of the music on all the channels. The spatialization indicator and the description of the graph are described here.

Spatialization mainly exploits the front stereo and surround channels to provide spatialization of the music. The top channels bring a punctual presence.

Part 6 : Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Qobuz Hi-Res – 2023

One would have hoped for a better treatment for a country album, but, one finds oneself in full Loudness War with a very important dynamic compression with a DR5. With a limitation which regularly engenders clipping of the digital signal generating distortion as explained here. One thus loses all the smoothness and the dynamics of the sound rendering.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●oooo (1)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2)

Sample : ”Giddy Up!” 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 2: Tidal Master – 2023

Like the Qobuz version, we find here the same limited sound rendering.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●oooo (1)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2)

Sample : ”Giddy Up!” 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 3: Apple Lossless – 2023

Like the Qobuz version, we find here the same limited sound rendering.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●oooo (1)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2)

Sample : ”Giddy Up!” 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 4: Apple Dolby Atmos – 2023

The Dolby Atmos aversions are more dynamic and precise than the stereo version, the voice is precise. The tonal balance is different from the stereo version with more attenuated highs giving a less brilliant sound. The listening in 7.1.4 brings a beautiful opening of the sound space. The downmix in stereo is of very good quality with a more dynamic rendering and a better opening of the space than the original stereo version.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●ooo (7.1)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : ”Giddy Up!” Dolby Atmos Binaural:

In spite of the will of the streaming services to fix a reference level to limit the loudness, it does not prevent to continue to produce albums strongly limited in dynamics like this one with a DR5. Only the Dolby Atmos version (whether in Binaural, 7.1.4 or downmix stereo) brings dynamics and a wide sound image with a nice rendering to the album but a less brilliant (or flattering) sound balance than the stereo version.

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Detail of the ratings :

• Dynamic :
  1. Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
  2. Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
  3. Correct piece DR >=10
  4. No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
  5. No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
• Spectrum :
  1. Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
  2. Spectrum cut at 15 khz
  3. Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
  4. Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
  5. Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
• Surface noise (only for vinyl):
  1. Continuous audible noise
  2. Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
  3. Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
  4. Low surface noise, very good quality
  5. Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
• Spatialization :
  • Between 0 and 5 for 5.1 or 7.1 channels configuration
  • Between 0 and 10 for Atmos configuration (7.1.4)
  • For more information on spatialization, you can read the article describing this parameter here.
• Restitution :
  1. Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  2. Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  3. Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
  4. High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
  5. Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.

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