After the release of the single “Now and Then” restored with AI, the 2023 reissue of THE BEATLES: the 1962-1966 (The Red Album) is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the greatest hits of the legendary Beatles.
Using the latest technologies, we’ve created new stereo mixes and Dolby Atmos immersive sound.
Let’s see what these new mixes have to offer by comparing them to various editions, including the original versions, and listening to the samples in mono, stereo and multichannel.

For this review, you will find 4 versions tested: CD 1992, CD 2010, Streaming Tidal MAX Flac in 24 bits 96 kHz and Tidal 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 38 tracks:

1. Love Me Do
2. Please Please Me
3. I Saw Her Standing There (2023 Mix)*
4. Twist And Shout (2023 Mix)*
5. From Me To You
6. She Loves You
7. I Want To Hold Your Hand
8. This Boy (2023 Mix)*
9. All My Loving
10. Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix)*
11. You Really Got A Hold On Me (2023 Mix)*
12. Can’t Buy Me Love
13. You Can’t Do That (2023 Mix)*
14. A Hard Day’s Night
15. And I Love Her
16. Eight Days A Week
17. I Feel Fine
18. Ticket To Ride
19. Yesterday
20. Help!
21. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
22. We Can Work It Out
23. Day Tripper
24. Drive My Car
25. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
26. Nowhere Man
27. Michelle
28. In My Life
29. If I Needed Someone
30. Girl
31. Paperback Writer
32. Eleanor Rigby
33. Yellow Submarine
34. Taxman (2022 Mix)*
35. Got To Get You Into My Life (2022 Mix)*
36. I’m Only Sleeping (2022 Mix)*
37. Here, There And Everywhere (2022 Mix)*
38. Tomorrow Never Knows (2022 Mix)*

*only available on the 2023 releases.

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: CD – 1993

Here is the first digital edition of the album on double CD in 1993 (ref: 077779703623). The songs “Love Me Do”,”Please Please Me”,”From Me To You” and “She Loves You” are in mono.

Ed 2: CD – 2010

CD version remastered in 2010 at Sony DADC, Terre Haute (ref: 5099994644326). The songs “Love Me Do”,”Please Please Me”,”From Me To You” and “She Loves You” are in mono.

Ed 3: Tidal MAX Flac – 2023

This is the version remixed in 2023 (some tracks in 2022) with 12 additional songs, presented in 24-bit 96 kHz streaming format.

Ed 4: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2023

This is the version remixed in Dolby Atmos with 12 additional songs. The Tidal Dolby Atmos version is presented in Dolby Digital Plus 768 bits/s) or Dolby AC-4.

Part 2 : Waveform and dynamic comparaisons

Waveform

The waveform represents tracks of the album.

As the years go by, new masterings and remixes end up with a compression of dynamics that is more and more present (yellow zone), as shown by the waveforms of the 1993 CD, the 2010 CD and the 2023 Tidal version.

The waveform of the Dolby Atmos version shows that it remains more dynamic than the stereo versions, particularly the 2010 CD and 2023 remix versions.

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) :

	CD – 1993	CD – 2010	Tidal MAX Flac – 2023	Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2023
Global	DR11	DR10	DR9	DR13
Min	DR9	DR8	DR7	DR10
Max	DR14	DR11	DR10	DR14
01 -Love Me Do	DR11	DR10	DR8	DR14
02 -Please Please Me	DR10	DR9	DR7	DR12
03 -I Saw Her Standing There (2023 Mix)*			DR8	DR12
04 -Twist And Shout (2023 Mix)*			DR7	DR12
05 -From Me To You	DR9	DR8	DR9	DR13
06 -She Loves You	DR10	DR8	DR9	DR11
07 -I Want To Hold Your Hand	DR9	DR8	DR8	DR12
08 -This Boy (2023 Mix)*			DR9	DR12
09 -All My Loving	DR10	DR9	DR8	DR11
10 -Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix)*			DR9	DR14
11 -You Really Got A Hold On Me (2023 Mix)*			DR8	DR14
12 -Can’t Buy Me Love	DR10	DR9	DR8	DR13
13 -You Can’t Do That (2023 Mix)*			DR8	DR11
14 -A Hard Day’s Night	DR10	DR9	DR7	DR13
15 -And I Love Her	DR12	DR11	DR10	DR12
16 -Eight Days A Week	DR11	DR10	DR10	DR14
17 -I Feel Fine	DR11	DR9	DR8	DR13
18 -Ticket To Ride	DR11	DR10	DR8	DR13
19 -Yesterday	DR13	DR11	DR8	DR10
20 -Help!	DR12	DR10	DR9	DR14
21 -You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away	DR12	DR10	DR9	DR12
22 -We Can Work It Out	DR11	DR11	DR10	DR13
23 -Day Tripper	DR10	DR10	DR7	DR13
24 -Drive My Car	DR11	DR10	DR8	DR12
25 -Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)	DR13	DR11	DR9	DR12
26 -Nowhere Man	DR13	DR10	DR9	DR13
27 -Michelle	DR11	DR11	DR9	DR11
28 -In My Life	DR14	DR11	DR10	DR13
29 -If I Needed Someone			DR8	DR12
30 -Girl	DR14	DR11	DR10	DR14
31 -Paperback Writer	DR10	DR10	DR8	DR12
32 -Eleanor Rigby	DR10	DR9	DR9	DR12
33 -Yellow Submarine	DR11	DR10	DR9	DR14
34 -Taxman (2022 Mix)*			DR9	DR13
35 -Got To Get You Into My Life (2022 Mix)*			DR9	DR13
36 -I’m Only Sleeping (2022 Mix)*			DR8	DR13
37 -Here, There And Everywhere (2022 Mix)*			DR9	DR11
38 -Tomorrow Never Knows (2022 Mix)*			DR8	DR14

The DR measurements confirm the results observed on the waveforms of the various editions. Dynamic compression increases with each new version of the album. We start with a DR11 for the 1993 CD and end with a DR9 for the 2023 remixed version.
The Dolby Atmos version remains dynamic with a DR13 (measured in 7.1.4, DR11 measured in 2.0).

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 graph below compares the spectrum of the 2010 CD (white curve) with the spectrum of the 1993 CD (blue curve). The 2 curves are very similar, with small differences between 100 and 700 Hz (maximum 1 dB difference) and between 1 kHz and 9 kHz, with the 2010 version attenuated by up to 1.5 dB.
The sound balance remains fairly close, with a sound that should be less brilliant on the 2010 CD. The yellow arrow indicates the limit at 22 kHz for the 2010 CD, and more towards 20 kHz for the 1993 CD, due to the difference in filtering technologies used for digital conversion.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Tidal MAX version (white curve) with the spectrum of the 1993 CD (blue curve). The 2 curves are broadly similar, with significant differences below 200Hz (green zone) and up to 5 dB more or less depending on frequency. Above 1 kHz (yellow zone), the 2023 remix is attenuated by a maximum of 4 dB.
The sound balance should bring a softer sound at the top end of the spectrum. The yellow arrow indicates the Tidal MAX version rises above 24 kHz, confirming the use of a 96 kHz sampling frequency.

The spectrum of the Tidal Dolby Atmos version decoded in 7.1 shows that all channels are well used.
The bass channel is filtered at 120 Hz, as indicated by the green arrow.
The yellow arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 20 kHz due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding.
The white arrow indicates the 24 kHz high-frequency limit due to encoding at the 48 kHz sample rate used, confirming that it is the Dolby Digital Plus encoding algorithm that cuts frequencies at 20 kHz to reduce data size in order to maintain the 768 kbits/s bit rate.

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 spectrograms of the CD versions (1993 and 2010) show that the signal rises to a maximum of 22 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is no signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency used for audio CDs.

The spectrogram of the stereo version Tidal Max shows that the signal rises above 24 kHz (yellow arrow).There is signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency used.

The spectrogram of the Dolby Atmos track downmixed in stereo is limited to 20kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above (white arrow). This limitation is due to Dolby Digital Plus encoding, which is a lossy encoder that limits bandwidth to optimize data size for a bit rate of 768 kbits/s.

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 is available for Tidal Dolby Atmos .

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Part 6 : Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: CD – 1993

Listening to the original mix, the first 4 tracks are in mono. It’s a dynamic mix with the characteristic original original Beatles sound.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : ”Help!” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Sample : ”Love Me Do” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 2: CD – 2010

The 2010 remastered version brings a slightly different sound balance to the 1993 cd version, with a slightly more balanced sound in the upper spectrum. The impact of dynamic compression remains limited.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3)

Sample : ”Help!” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Ed 3: Tidal MAX Flac – 2023

The remixed version from 2023 (with some tracks remixed in 2022) brings a very reworked rendering compared to the original version. All tracks are now in stereo. The sound is smoother, thanks to a new mix and equalization that attenuates the upper end of the spectrum, bringing the sound closer to 2023 standards.
Dynamic compression is more present, and limits the dynamics of certain musical attacks, dynamics that remain present on the Dolby Atmos version. Otherwise, the new mix remains quite pleasant to listen to.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●ooo (2)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3)

Sample : ”Help!” 16 bits 96 kHz:

Sample : ”Love Me Do” 16 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 4: Tidal Dolby Atmos – 2023

The Dolby Atmos version brings the quality of the 2023 remix with all the dynamics and but with a little less restitition finesse than the Tidal 2023 version, whether in stereo listening (downmixed in 2.0, listen to the available samples) or in 7.1.4 multichannel listening.
As indicated in the analysis of spatialization, all the tracks benefit from an extension of the soundstage with the use of the side channels, so it’s preferable to be equipped with 7.1.4 for listening, in order to get the full benefit.
The Dolby Atmos mix retains the spirit of the stereo mix, with full exploitation of spatialization on tracks such as “Eleanor Rigby” and “Help!” The mix of “Love Me Do” is quite successful, given that it was available in mono on the 1993 and 2010 versions. The Dolby Atmos mix of this album is a fine piece of work.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●ooooo (5.5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (3.5)

Sample : ”Help!” Dolby Atmos Downmixed in 7.1:

The sample is in 7.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and “Save Audio As…” and play it with an external player.

Sample : ”Help!” Dolby Atmos Downmixed in 2.0:

Sample : ”Love Me Do” Dolby Atmos Downmixed in 5.1:

The sample is in 5.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and “Save Audio As…” and play it with an external player.

The new mix of 2023 for the 50th anniversary of this RED album released in 1973 is a real success, with a version available in High Resolution 24 bit 96 kHz. This new edition of 2023 includes 12 additional tracks.
All tracks are now in stereo, and WingNut Films’ audio de-mixing technology has been used on many tracks to regenerate multitracks for re-mixing. One can only regret the use of a dynamic limiter for a compilation album celebrating the 50th anniversary of a group as legendary as the Beatles.
The Dolby Atmos version is very successful, retaining the spirit of the mix used by the Beatles, with a shift from stereo to spatial sound. The sound is dynamic and very clear, allowing every detail of the music to be heard, whether in 7.1.4 or downmixed 2.0.
Some will prefer the original version, in which case it’s best to turn to the 1993 CD version. In Streaming, the versions available are the remixed version from 2023 or a remastered version, but not the original 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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