The sound of the legendary Abbey Road recording studios is coming to the new Volvo EX90. British audio giant Bowers & Wilkins has joined forces with the London-based studios to recreate the sounds of the studios responsible for some of the music world’s biggest artists, including The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Lady Gaga.
It’s also where some of the movie world’s biggest blockbusters – most notably Star Wars – recorded their scores.
Abbey Road Studios and Bowers & Wilkins have developed quite a partnership since the studio started using its speakers back in 1980. And, Bowers & Wilkins has been providing upgraded sound systems for various Volvo cars for several years now.
So, it was only a matter of time until the three brands joined forces to create a new audio experience on four wheels. And, following the launch of Volvo’s new EX90 electric SUV, we can now see the results of their latest venture.
Bowers & Wilkins is introducing a new Abbey Road Studios sound mode for Volvo EX90s equipped with the brand’s premium sound system. The mode is based on the acoustics of the studio, combined with the “tonality of the equipment and engineer expertise”. The official press release goes on to say that it “emulates the unique characteristics of the recording studio environment”.
Besides the Abbey Road Studios sound mode, the system also features a new Producer Mode which allows you to go hands-on and create your own sound by tweaking settings developed with the help of Abbey Road’s engineers.
Through a brand new user interface, you can change the tonality of the sound in several different ways, “shifting the acoustic from a retro vintage to a deeper, modern sound, narrowing or expanding the stereo sound field, and adjusting the acoustic environment, just as a producer or engineer would do”. You can then save your preferred sound as a custom preset. Alternatively, the system already comes with four different presets to choose from, with each one offering something different.
The Abbey Road Studios mode will be made available as an over-the-air software update when deliveries start in 2025 for all EX90s fitted with a Bowers & Wilkins system. The set-up itself features 25 speakers, including tweeter-on-top technology, seven Continuum cone midrange drivers, five Nautlus double-dome tweeters and eight headrest and ceiling speakers. All the speakers have been carefully positioned and the system even supports Dolby Atmos content too.
Sound modes such as these aren’t exactly a new concept for in-car audio. Previously, Volvo has offered users a Gothenburg Concert Hall mode on some cars to try and capture the acoustics of this impressive listening space. During testing, though, I tend to find that the purest sound modes deliver the best sound experience, but I’m all for experimenting to see what they have to offer. Hopefully, this Abbey Road Studios mode will bring something new and innovative to the party.
Bringing the Iconic Sounds of Abbey Road to the Road
This isn’t the first time Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road Studios have partnered. The famous studio started using Bowers & Wilkins speakers back in 1980 and the two brands have developed a strong relationship over the years.
Bowers & Wilkins also has a history of providing high-quality sound systems for Volvo vehicles, so it only made sense for the three brands to collaborate on a project that would bring the iconic sound of Abbey Road to the car.
The new Abbey Road Studios sound mode for the Volvo EX90 aims to recreate the unique acoustics of the studio, capturing the characteristics of its various live spaces and control rooms, along with the distinct tonality of Abbey Road’s vintage and modern equipment.
A Unique Listening Experience
The new Abbey Road Studios sound mode will be available via an over-the-air software update for Volvo EX90s equipped with the Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The system itself features 25 speakers, including tweeter-on-top technology, seven Continuum cone midrange drivers, five Nautilus double-dome tweeters, and eight headrest and ceiling speakers. The EX90’s Bowers & Wilkins audio system is also Dolby Atmos-compatible.
The goal of the new sound mode is to transport listeners into the studio, effectively bridging the gap between professional audio environments and in-car entertainment systems. This partnership between Bowers & Wilkins, Abbey Road Studios, and Volvo shows just how far in-car audio technology has come. The new Abbey Road Studios sound mode is sure to be a hit with music lovers and audiophiles alike.
A New Era of In-Car Audio
The new Abbey Road Studios sound mode is a game-changer for in-car audio. It’s not just about adding a few more speakers to a car. It’s about creating an immersive and authentic listening experience that transports listeners to a different place and time.
The partnership between Bowers & Wilkins, Abbey Road Studios, and Volvo is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration. Together, they have created a new era of in-car audio that is sure to raise the bar for the industry. This innovative sound mode not only enhances the listening experience for drivers and passengers but also highlights the increasingly sophisticated approach to in-car entertainment. It demonstrates the potential for using technology to create immersive, engaging experiences that go beyond the traditional boundaries of car audio.
This collaboration is a prime example of how technology can be used to bring the best of both worlds – the iconic sound of Abbey Road and the convenience and luxury of the modern car – together.
How Abbey Road Sound Mode Will Work
The Abbey Road Studios sound mode is designed to recreate the acoustics of the studio, capturing the characteristics of its various live spaces and control rooms, along with the distinct tonality of Abbey Road’s vintage and modern equipment. The mode will allow drivers to experience the same sound that artists have enjoyed for decades. The system will even allow you to adjust various parameters of the sound reproduction, including the equaliser settings, reverberation and delays in when the sound is sent to different speakers.
A New Standard for In-Car Audio
The Abbey Road Studios sound mode is just the beginning. As car manufacturers continue to invest in innovative audio technology, we can expect to see even more immersive and engaging listening experiences in the future. This new partnership between Bowers & Wilkins, Abbey Road Studios, and Volvo is a sign that the future of in-car audio is bright. The integration of Abbey Road’s iconic sound into the Volvo EX90 is a significant step forward in the pursuit of premium audio experiences for car enthusiasts, demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation in bringing authentic sound to the road.
A Look Ahead
The Abbey Road Studios sound mode is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. It’s a reminder that the future of in-car audio is bright and full of possibilities. We can expect to see even more immersive and engaging listening experiences in the future as car manufacturers continue to invest in innovative audio technology.
The partnership between Bowers & Wilkins, Abbey Road Studios, and Volvo is a sign that the industry is committed to delivering the best possible audio experiences for drivers and passengers. The Abbey Road Studios sound mode is just the beginning.
More Than Just a Sound Mode
This new sound mode is more than just a new feature for the Volvo EX90. It’s a reflection of the growing trend of in-car entertainment systems that are designed to provide a more immersive and personalized experience. The Abbey Road Studios sound mode is a testament to the power of technology to transport listeners to a different place and time. The future of in-car audio is all about creating a listening experience that is as engaging and immersive as possible. And, the Abbey Road Studios sound mode is a major step in the right direction.
The Volvo EX90 is a cutting-edge electric SUV that is sure to turn heads. And, with the addition of the Abbey Road Studios sound mode, it’s going to be a must-have for music lovers and audiophiles alike.
A New Era for Music
This partnership is a sign that the future of music is in the car. And, with the Abbey Road Studios sound mode, drivers and passengers will be able to experience music like never before. The collaboration between Bowers & Wilkins, Abbey Road Studios, and Volvo is a game-changer for the automotive industry. This partnership is set to revolutionize in-car audio and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
The Future of In-Car Audio
The Abbey Road Studios sound mode is a game-changer for the in-car audio industry. It’s a sign of things to come, and it’s clear that the future of in-car audio is bright.
A New Era of Sound
The Abbey Road Studios sound mode is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. It’s a reminder that the future of music is in the car. And, with the Abbey Road Studios sound mode, drivers and passengers will be able to experience music like never before.
