u/Media6292

Hello,

Stacey Kent is an American jazz singer known for the clarity of her tone and the finesse of her interpretation.
Her new album A Time for Love adopts a style that is both understated and refined, supported by the virtuoso piano playing of Art Hirahara and the sensitivity of Jim Tomlinson.

Is this Jazz album impacted with loudness war?

The waveform comparison clearly shows the impact of the dynamic range limiting in the stereo version (DR6) compared to the 2.0 downmix of the Dolby Atmos version (DR12). This is all the more regrettable given that the stereo edition is offered in 24-bit / 96 kHz. (link to graphic)

The Dolby Atmos version allows the full dynamic range of the album to be restored, but it offers an immersive mix that is almost entirely front-focused, and in some cases fully so for tracks that only use the L, R, and C channels. However, some subtle detail is lost compared to the stereo version in lossless 24-bit / 96 kHz format, particularly in the low-level passages. (link to spatialization)

We are gradually observing the emergence of dynamic range limiting in recent jazz albums, a trend that is unfortunately confirmed with Stacey Kent s new album A Time for Love, affecting the overall listening experience. The Dolby Atmos version, while offering more dynamic range, remains rather lacking in terms of immersion.

You can find the tested versions, along with audio samples, as well as the full analysis and measurements, here (link).

Enjoy listening,

Jean-François

Hello,

S'il suffisait d'aimer is an album by Céline Dion released in 1998, primarily produced in collaboration with Jean-Jacques Goldman. It is rooted in French-language pop with a strong emotional and orchestral dimension. The album prominently showcases C line Dion s voice through simple and effective arrangements. It features several key tracks such as S'il suffisait d'aimer and On ne change pas. Considered one of the major albums in her French-language discography, it achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim. It remains a reference in 1990s French pop music.
Following the announcement of an exclusive series of concerts in Paris in 2026, it is the perfect time to rediscover this album across its different editions.

This CD edition stands as the reference version of the album, offering excellent vocal clarity and a well-defined soundstage. It is in this digital stereo format that the album is most widely recognized, even though the dynamics are somewhat reduced during the loudest passages.

A rival to Dolby Atmos, Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format is now primarily available on Amazon Music. Its spatial presentation differs somewhat from Dolby Atmos, delivering a very enjoyable experience with an alternative sense of space. However, the overall dynamics remain comparable.

The Dolby Atmos and 360RA versions come as a pleasant surprise: instead of relying on a strictly front-oriented mix, they make effective use of the side and rear channels to broaden the soundstage and better distribute the instruments, enhancing both depth and scale. The height channels, however, are used more subtly. These versions offer a fresh way to rediscover the album, supported by excellent dynamics, although they still fall short of the standard set by reference immersive mixes, such as those recognized at the Grammy Awards.

Regarding the vinyl record, the sound is close to that of the CD, with smoother highs than the digital version, consistent with the natural roll-off observed in the vinyl spectrum above 4 kHz.

You can find the tested versions, along with audio samples, as well as the full analysis and measurements, here (link).

Enjoy listening,

Jean-François