Rhino Quadio Release Wrap Up Oct 2025 (Rhino)
Chicago’s Greatest Hits
ZZ Top – Tres Hombres
Doobie Brothers – Toulouse Street
The mere mention of the word “quadrophonic” usually elicits eye rolls and chuckles. The much-maligned technology of the early 1970’s involved using four speakers instead of two, purchasing an expensive special receiver and record needle, and special Quad albums…only to have the technology fail, more often than not. Now, 50 years later, Rhino records has decided to make use of all those quadrophonic tapes – dubbing the series “Quadio.”
I’m completely hooked
You no longer need special equipment. A standard, 5.1 home surround sound system (I have a Yamaha DTS AV receiver), speakers, and a Blu Ray player – and you’ve got it. The results may blow your mind!
To be honest, I’ve pushed back from standard “surround sound” for years, because most music that I’ve heard sounds too disconnected – it’s too spread out, so it doesn’t sound like music, just individual instruments playing at the same time. Here’s the issue: in standard, 5.1 surround sound, there’s a center speaker: in movies, it’s usually where the dialog comes out. In music, it’s where the vocals usually reside. This separates things too much for me. But, in Quad, the center speaker doesn’t get used – only the front right and left, and back right and left.
Want proof? Chicago’s Greatest Hits is absolutely incredible in Quadio. The horns hit you from back left and right, while the bass, drums and vocals are up front. The opening track, “25 or 6 to 4” is absolutely stunning. The sound is MASSIVE. There’s even an extra Terry Kath guitar part that plays throughout.
There are also “Quadio nuggets” as I’ll call them: times where an instrument swirls around all four speakers. An example of this is on the instrumental bridge of “Just You N’ Me” – the soprano sax starts front right, then jumps back right, back left, then front left.
“Wishing You Were Here” has the waves rushing all around you before the acoustic guitars show up. The entire album is phenomenal in this, 4-channel setting.
Another fine example of Quadio in action is ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres. You wouldn’t think that a three-piece band would sound that great spread over four speakers. Well, think again. Billy Gibbons’ guitars are coming from the back left and right, with bass and drums up front. There are times when Frank Beard’s drums go from front left to back right – wow!
Take the opening cut, “Waiting For the Bus” – the guitars are so meaty in the back channels, giving more room for the bass, drums and vocals up front. Then, during the break, a slide guitar appears front left, while the harmonica comes in back left.
“Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” has Gibbons on the right and Dusty Hill on the left front, trading vocals. “Master of Sparks” the guitars are front right and back left, while Beard’s drums again go from front left to back right. You really feel like you’re IN the music. Honestly, I’ve always thought this album sounded flat – either on CD or vinyl. The Quad mix really opens things up, allowing the music to breathe.
A check of the liner notes reveals that this album was taken from a commercial reel to reel tape – they couldn’t locate the Quadrophonic tape master. Yet, I’m telling you, this is one of the best sounding of all the Quadio releases.
Toulouse Street from the Doobie Brothers is another fine example of Quadio in action. Things start out subtle with “Listen to the Music.” Tom Johnston’s guitar is front right, while an acoustic guitar is back left. Then a banjo shows up back right. The phasing effect on the bridge seems to wash over you.
It’s the deeper album cuts that really shine here. “Toulouse Street” – the song starts with two acoustic guitars in the back speakers, one right and one left. There’s so much presence here – it’s just gorgeous. Then a flute shows up front right, then background harmonies in the back. This is Quadrophonic sound done right.
“Cotton Mouth” has another of those “Quadio nuggets” – bongos start front right, then back right, back left, then front left – way cool. “Jesus is Just Alright” has a guitar back left, organ back right, with Johnston’s vocals upfront along with the drums. Then Pat Simmons’ vocals come in and he’s centered in the back speakers. Very nice.
The next set of Quadio albums has just come out. They include: War’s Why Can’t We Be Friends, America’s Hearts, Jefferson Starship’s Spitfire, and Hot Tuna’s America’s Choice. We hope to be able to give you a review of those soon.
At a time when many people are listening to music on a single smart speaker, or their phone, or crappy earbuds, here’s an opportunity to hear some of your favorite albums from the past in a brand new way. Viva Quadio! —Tony Peters