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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
lkean OP
12 posts
 
Avguygeorge, that does makes sense. Now I am really curious as to how they accomplish the homogenized sound. This just sounds like a very good technique to try. If applied correctly, it may produce a very good balanced sound effect. Now I have to dig on the web for this info, wonder if they have to disperse the sound off-axis to do this. Thanks!
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..
stehno
1,453 posts
 
I remember reading an article I believe by the 'Audio Perfectionist' where he discussed this very issue.

If I recall correctly, he stated that the rooms and goals are entirely different. Therefore, the application and execution thereof is entirely different as well.

And the cinema has to make many more compromises to accommodate potentially hundreds of viewers in comparison to just a handful of viewers at home.

Made sense to me.

-IMO
vectorman67
42 posts
 
Out of curiosity, where is everyone located?
The reason I ask is that I'm in Los Angeles and I must say that the sound quality at some of the top theaters in town is outstanding. I'm wondering if this has more to do with the fact that I'm essentially in the movie capital. Don't get me wrong... for the most part, this tends to preclude any sort of multi-plex, though some venues will have 'decent' (not outstanding) sound in their main theater. But, go to the recently renovated Grauman's Chinese Theater, and you'll be amazed by both the audio and video... I don't know about it having a homogenized sound, as the theater definitely has a sweet spot (middle 10 rows and 15-seats to either side of center). Outside of that, and the sound experience is o.k.
lkean OP
12 posts
 
Sugarbrie, point well taken. Stehno, I will keep that in mind. Room size difference (I believe) should be a factor with such a tall headroom in the cinema. I will try to discover this secret technique used by the cinema. :)

Thanks,
KG
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