Beatles - Now & Then

Sorry if I'm repeating myself here (too lazy to go back a page and look at my last response, ha ha ha), but I perceived the Dolby Atmos mix to be superior as well, and I was listening on 2-channel stereo equipment, not true
"surround". Supposedly Atmos mixes will fold down to stereo easily, so what you heard is probably the real thing.

davidclark wrote: I listened to what is labeled the "Dolby Atmos" version on YouTube. I find it has MUCH more dynamic range than the rather loud "regular" version. It is mixed a bit different also, unless the YouTube post does not faithfully reproduce the Atmos mix or it could be that I just can't listen to real Atmos as I don't have the necessary equipment. Anyway, I find it much more pleasing to the ears. I do like the song, but not how it sounds.'

I generally agree - the Atmos stereo downmix sounds clearer than the super-compressed standard stereo version. But the Dolby downmix has its problems too - the strings, background vocals, bass and some of the non-cymbal drums are mixed a bit too far back. And Lennon's voice is a little loud. Also, McCartney shadows Lennon's lead vocals in several places, and replaces it altogether at the end of some lines. As a result in the Atmos stereo mix it's jarring whenever Lennon disappears, since McCartney is further back in the mix - such as at 1:04 in the video you posted.

I think the balance between instruments is better in the main stereo version. But it's also a muddy mess - so hopefully they sort out both versions with better mixing/mastering at some point.

Was Atmos used only on Now and Then? Or was it used for all the remixes on
the 2023 remixes of the red & blue CDs?