Philosophizing (a bit)

[RMK!]

I had never ventured into an on-line Forum before I found Audioholics. My goal was to educate myself in audio video in order to create an enjoyable HT environment at home. I love music and movies and since I had gone HiDef video at the end of last year and my Bose LS 12 system was acting up, I decided to look at the audio side as well.

I think the biggest surprise of this process has been how much quality audio affects the movie watching experience. It used to be that when a new film came out that I wanted to see, I made the time to go to the theatre to see it. Much of the reason for that was the enveloping sound provided by the modern cinema. Now that I have a quality sound system at home, the idea of going to the theatre and putting up with the physical discomfort (I’m 6’6”) and the intrusions of thoughtless ill-mannered people seems crazy.

Now, if we want to go out it will be to dinner or a play or concert. Movie watching has becoming a home based activity. I tested the theory last Friday night and went to see War of the Worlds. I was looking forward to the film but I had read no reviews (I still haven’t) and believed this new Spielberg blockbuster was one of those films that needed to be seen on the “big screen” to really be enjoyed. So, the fiancé and I set off to the local Multiplex, got our favorite seats (main isle center for the leg room) and settled in.

Aside from the quality of the film (didn’t like it much) the presentation of the sound was far less enjoyable than what I have been experiencing at home for the last couple of months. Other than being really LOUD, the sound was muddled and the bass (and this is a bass intensive movie if there ever was one) was not up to what I can get at home with my little Velo SPL 1200. Rather than being upset that I had wasted time and a little money on a bad film, I actually had a feeling of satisfaction. The satisfaction that I had created a system at home that was superior to the one at the theatre especially the sound. My fiancé made the comment to me (echoing my thoughts) as we were walking out of the theatre. For me, that is what this is all about. It’s not about having the biggest amp or best speakers or screen, just the satisfaction of a job well done. The feeling would not be the same if I had just hired a home theatre company to plug and play me.

As I was writing this, my fiancé was playing one of her favorite musical pieces Meditation from “Thais” by Massenet. She was crying it was so beautiful.

 

[Rob Babcock]

You hit the nail right on the head. Aquaintances of mine that haven't been over to see my HT rig don't get it when I tell them how much better it it to watch movies at home, but it really is. I still go to the Century to see new movies once in awhile (because I don't wanna wait 6-8 months for, say, the new Star Wars) but it's not the same.

 

[soniceuphoria]

I am right along with you on the movie theater sound issue. The poor sound at the movie theaters arround me has led me to almost entirely not going to the theater. The last movie I went to the theaters for was Star Wars III, and to say the least I was completely dissapointed with the sound. The panning from right to left was sloppy at best (and I was in the sweet spot). I think that if they took a little more time calibrating their sound systems that the movie experience would be more enjoyable. But that is probably the reason that we are all here, our passion for audio has led us to not accept the average. I agree that there is nothing like putting together a systen piece by piece, spending many hours setting up and fine tuning it, and then enjoying the fruits of your labor. The compliments are the icing on the cake for a job well done. Happy Listening.
Greg

 

[racquetman]

I agree, except for my local THX theater

I agree mostly, but I always come out of a THX theater satisfied. I wait until after opening weekend and catch a matinee the next week or weekend for $5.00. I have to drive about 45 minutes to get there, but the screen size and perfect sound are worth it.

 

[RMK!]

I agree mostly, but I always come out of a THX theater satisfied. I wait until after opening weekend and catch a matinee the next week or weekend for $5.00. I have to drive about 45 minutes to get there, but the screen size and perfect sound are worth it.

Well you got me thinking and for me, IMAX in 3D is the one exception. Polar Express was really something. Now if I could do that at home

 

[Duffinator]

I think the biggest surprise of this process has been how much quality audio affects the movie watching experience.

I frequently tell people that listening to a DVD movie through the speakers on their TV is like going to the movie theater with cotton in their ears. It's almost like you are missing half of the movie. And the new HD DVD formats will further advance the home HT experience.

 

[Spiffyfast]

I completely agree about the sound quality, I have a friend that owns some movie theaters so getting a chance to go up into the projection booths is kind of neat. What's funny is they run about the same equipment we run in our houses, in an area that could be 10 times larger. He runs pioneer elite receivers with some crown amps for all the DTS movies, but the speakers that are actually in the theater are just cheap DJ speakers meant to be loud and not of quality. A decent entry level home theater setup will have better quality speakers and sound better than going to the theater. I can't wait for the day when they release DVD's to rent, not buy, at the same time they are released on the big screen, read it in some magazine that the movie industry was thinking about it, I can watch the movie at home on better quality equipment and not have to go through the trouble of going to the theater. I have to remind my friend of this all the time, he doesn't like the idea...I tell him he went into the wrong business then.