Musical Artists Circuit Des Yeux, Anat Cohen, and Dinosaur Jr. have partnered with Qobuz, the hi-res music streaming and download platform, to release new, exclusive-to-Qobuz, 24-bit tracks mixed in THX® Spatial Audio. The tracks are available to anyone listening from a compatible device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, and more) over any pair of headphones.
What THX Spatial Audio Is
THX Spatial Audio is an audio format that uses advanced digital signal processing so that sounds appear to be placed “out of the head,” transforming conventional stereo audio into a unique listening experience, simulating a recording studio or authentic virtual environment Using virtual 7.1 channel surround sound, the music listener experiences 360-degree sound with minimal colorization and distortion.
Qobuz THX Spatial Audio Tracks
“Double Dare” by Circuit des Yeux (originally performed by Bauhaus), “Calling Vic Juris” by Anat Cohen, and “Whenever You’re Ready” (originally performed by The Zombies), by Dinosaur Jr., was created with an immersive audio experience in mind. Combining the Qobuz standard of 24-bit audio clarity with the “live” feeling of THX Spatial Audio, each song was recorded to give listeners the feeling of being in a space with the performers.
- “Double Dare” by Circuit des Yeux evokes a concert hall-like immersive experience with THX Spatial Audio. Listen Here.
- “Calling Vic Juris” by Anat Cohen provides another dimension of THX Spatial Audio–that creates an extreme sense of intimacy. Listen Here.
- “Whenever You’re Ready” by Dinosaur Jr. in THX Spatial Audio provides crunchy overdriven guitars and unique movement within the song for a satisfying, dynamic, immersive listening experience – Listen Here.
Haley Fohr of Circuit des Yeux: “Double Dare” is a song filled with immense power. Listening to it helps decimate my fear. My favorite part about the CdY interpretation of “Double Dare” is the way Whitney (Johnson) represents the screeching guitar part with a viola and overdrive pedal. The way the harmonics and feedback bounces and resonates around in THX Spatial Audio feels like being in the eye of a tornado. If “Double Dare” is an anecdote to fear, this cover of “Double Dare” in THX Spatial Audio ups the dosage.”
Anat Cohen on “Calling Vic Juris: “I recorded ‘Calling Vic Juris’ with Gilad Hekselman, a song that he wrote in honor of the great jazz guitarist Vic Juris who passed away in 2019. Vic was a wonderful musician and person who inspired many listeners, students and colleagues including myself and Gilad. We recorded the song as an acoustic duo and then added layers of clarinet and guitar. The THX Spatial Audio format amplifies the building momentum heard as the track progresses, especially ~3.5 minutes in when the clarinet tracks soar with and above the multiple layers of guitars. With this audio format, I could express the influences of both the acoustic and electric worlds we breathe. I was grateful to work on this project alongside THX and Qobuz, two companies committed to providing a high quality music listening experience, allowing us to bring our intimate studio experience directly to the ears of listeners. I would like to thank Oded Lev-Ari for his expert ears and wisdom. And of course – Gilad Hekselman, a musician I love collaborating with on any occasion.”
More on Qobuz
The THX Spatial Audio tracks being offered in this collaboration follow previous Qobuz exclusive non-spatial hi-res audio releases with Christian McBride, Zappa Records, Mercury KX, Tower of Power, and more, to solidify Qobuz’s reputation as the destination for true music lovers who want their streaming service to care about the same artists, details, and quality that they value.
The new tracks join other Qobuz offerings, with digital liner notes, exclusive deep-dive essays, and artist-curated playlists, to give it an immersive, boutique-in-a-superstore-world feel.
From Rolling Stone: “…finding new music on Qobuz is a bit like visiting a record shop, hearing from the owner, and just listening to albums.”
From Dan Mackta, managing director, Qobuz USA: “The ease with which Qobuz users can experience the THX Spatial Audio music tracks, and the fact that it is lossless, even Hi-Res, make the format a natural fit for our platform…The artists providing these THX Spatial Audio mixes on Qobuz are eclectic and acclaimed, and are a great fit for our audience of true music aficionados.”
From Kasson Crooker, THX Spatial Audio engineer and musician: ”THX is pleased to work with these talented Qobuz musicians to bring the artists’ vision of deep and true audio immersion to fans…As an artist and an engineer, I am always interested in deepening the experiences music can evoke. THX Spatial Audio is a phenomenal immersive technology that we are thrilled to bring to these creative musicians. to support them in heightening their creativity and connection to their audiences.”
Qobuz and THX Onyx
THX and Qobuz also offer access to 24-bit Hi-Res quality music listening via a promotional offer that has been running since October 2021, with THX’s first consumer DAC/Amp (digital-to-analog amplifier dongle), the THX Onyx™. The offer includes three months of Qobuz with the purchase of the THX Onyx. Check out the details.
Related Reading – THX
Razer Announces The Leviathan V2 Soundbar With THX Spatial Audio
Related Reading – Qobuz
Qobuz Expands Into Latin America And Portugal
Qobuz Takes The Lead With The Florida Audio Expo And CanJam NYC 2022
Qobuz Announces Wayne Coyne Of The Flaming Lips As Artist-Approved Sound Spokesperson
