Experience Abbey Road's Acclaimed Audio in Cars and Headphones

For decades, Abbey Road Studios have been synonymous with legendary music recordings, yet they have rarely ventured into consumer-facing innovations—until now.

The historic partnership between Abbey Road and Bowers & Wilkins began in the 1980s, with the latter's speakers becoming a staple within the studios' control rooms.

Introducing Abbey Road Studio Mode, a unique collaborative effort between Abbey Road and Bowers & Wilkins. This venture has moved beyond simply enhancing studio operations to innovating a digital audio algorithm designed to authentically replicate the revered sound of Abbey Road Studios. Users can experience this innovation firsthand in the luxury of the new Volvo EX90, which comes fitted with an elegant and user-friendly interface.

Volvo has maintained a collaborative relationship with Bowers & Wilkins for nearly a decade. At a special unveiling at Abbey Road Studios, WIRED explored this groundbreaking technology inside the EX90 while conversing with key figures involved in its creation.

The unique sound signature revered by Abbey Road fans is credited to bespoke, handcrafted equipment—some pieces appear more suited to a bygone era than to modern studios.

Mirek Stiles, head of Audio Products at Abbey Road Studios, recounts his initial inquiries upon the introduction of Studio Mode: 'Authenticity was key. Abbey Road and its parent, EMI, engineered custom sound processors in the 1950s and 60s. Capturing this distinct aural essence in a digital platform was our remarkable yet daunting mission.'

This challenge involved digitally capturing the essence of Abbey Road's physical acoustics and recreating the effects of unique, legacy studio apparatuses. Such equipment is almost mythic among professional sound engineers.

Despite the formidable task of translating the studio's sonic character to a car setting, Mirek expresses confidence in their success. By leveraging comprehensive studio mapping and relentless fine-tuning, they achieved a pattern that effectively delivers genuine sound to users.

Having personally sampled Abbey Road Studio Mode, the results are nothing short of phenomenal. The interface, both visually appealing and highly interactive, allows users in a Volvo EX90 to transition smoothly between 'vintage' and 'modern' audio nuances, with further adjustments available for studio and control room settings.

The influence of this system on sound quality is astounding. The distinction between 'modern' and 'vintage' soundscapes is stark, producing a listening experience that surpasses that of standard EX90 settings. This isn't merely about clarity and stage presence; it's the subtleties in tonal balance and frequency response that truly set this experience apart.

Adjustments cater to a listener's preference, enhancing the sonic journey.

When engaging with tracks originally recorded within Abbey Road, such as those by The Beatles, there's a tangible sense of musical history. Their extensive catalog, mostly recorded at Abbey Road, attains an unparalleled authenticity when played in Studio Mode—even with the vehicle stationary.

While this initiative adds immense value to the Volvo EX90 experience, its potential applications are vast. Studio Mode technology is poised to extend beyond cars to products like headphones and sound systems.

Although Abbey Road Studios and Bowers & Wilkins remain tight-lipped about broader rollouts, industry insiders speculate that Studio Mode will soon extend to various devices. Volvo may currently hold exclusivity, but it's only a matter of time before other consumers can enjoy this extraordinary Abbey Road experience without investing in a luxury electric vehicle.