The Doobie Brothers’ Quadio box set brings together the quadraphonic mix versions of four classic Doobie Brothers albums: Toulouse Street (1972), The Captain And Me (1973), What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974), and Stampede (1975). Quadraphonic audio refers to a system that involves four channels of audio, offering a more immersive and spatial listening experience.
For fans of the Doobie Brothers and enthusiasts of high-quality audio, the Quadio box set, released in 2020, is a treat. The Blu-ray Discs allows listeners to experience these iconic albums in a new and enhanced way, as the quadraphonic mixes were originally intended to be heard. The four-channel audio separation creates a more expansive soundstage, with instruments and vocals positioned around the listener, providing a unique sense of depth and immersion.
In terms of sound quality, Quadio delivers a remarkable listening experience. The quadraphonic mixes have been carefully remastered, resulting in clean and well-balanced audio. The instrumentation and vocals come through with clarity and richness, showcasing the band’s musicality and the craftsmanship behind their songs.
Aside from the audio quality, the Quadio box set also offers a visually appealing package that houses the individual albums in gatefold sleeves, capturing the original artwork and providing a nostalgic feel. It also includes an informative booklet that provides background information on the albums, the quadraphonic mixes, and the Doobie Brothers’ career.
One consideration is that to fully experience the quadraphonic mixes, listeners would need a compatible audio setup, such as a surround sound system or a quadraphonic decoder. Without such equipment, the quadraphonic mixes may not be fully realized, and the box set may still offer value primarily for the remastered audio quality and the collectible nature of the package.
In summary, the Doobie Brothers’ Quadio box set is a fantastic offering for fans of the band and audio enthusiasts alike. It presents the opportunity to rediscover these classic albums with a new level of immersion and spatial audio. The combination of the quadraphonic mixes, the remastered audio quality, and the well-crafted packaging make it a worthwhile addition to any Doobie Brothers collection.
~ Robby Siegmeister
