2. home-theater
  3. 1054101238

Should cinema be our HT reference?

Hi, recently I have a wierd dislike to the cinema's surround sound. First, I always feel that the sound level isn't loud enough. Secondly, I always feel like the movie was recorded with only 3 channels: front, left and right. I hardly hear anything from the rear. Normally I sit 7 to 8 rows from the back. When I watched X2, I sat in the middle of the theater and felt the same. So far, I have not 'heard' a movie that takes my breath away in a movie theater.

Here is my question, should we consider the surround sound in movie theater to be our point of reference for home theater surround sound? If so, I am a bit dissapointed with the sound that I have heard so far in the cinema. Does anyone else feel the same way too?
lkean

Showing 2 responses by sugarbrie

sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I doubt there is anyone connected with any large movie theater company who really cares about sound quality. As long as sound comes out of the speakers, they are happy. Also most movie goers don't know what is possible or care for that matter.

If you've ever been to a movie and it looks dull on screen, it might because your local theater owner is turning down the brightness of the projector, thinking that it will make the very expensive light bulb last longer. The makers of the projector and the bulb have tested this theory, and it does not increase the life of the bulb one single bit. But many theaters still do it anyway. All you get is a dull looking movie.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
There is no excuse for a dull looking movie. I've seen the restored 70mm print of Lawrence of Arabia projected on a large screen. It looks great!! If they could make it that sharp and colorful in the 1950's, then they should be able to really dazzle us now..
More to discover