To add to it, several theaters lack in that low-frequency range. I see it fairly often and it’s almost expected in the older theaters. But the newer AMCs, especially Tysons, definitely have that deep-bass capability which discriminates them from the rest. So when it’s missing it’s very noticeable to me.
I think there is a bass-issue in that auditorium at times, or at least there has been recently. That AMC Magic-Chairs trailer should have a very noticeable bass-line ripping from the subwoofer right after the camera pans down to the girl’s boots and you see the roots sprout out of ground (right as the chairs in front fall forward). Trailers are mixed differently, but the presentation of that AMC ad has always determined the level of bass that I will hear (feel) from the film that’s about to play. It’s actually been a very useful bass-barometer. The trailers are a pretty accurate judge as well, but the AMC ad is 100%.
I remember seeing Green Hornet on that Tysons IMAX screen and it was easily the best presentation of a film I’ve ever “heard.” The bass/sound during the Fast-Five and Thor trailers prior were beyond anything I’ve ever experienced, and what I heard in the actual film followed suit. I then made very sure I was seeing future IMAX films on that screen. Since then however, I have not seen any that have matched that level, and I’m very sure it’s not an issue of sound-mix moreover something in the theater’s levels. I remember next seeing Thor on that screen, and it wasn’t nearly as strong as the Green Hornet presentation. Again, I understand every film is mixed differently, but on a relative level I could tell there was something a touch off.
Besides IMAX films, regular films on that screen from years-back have always over-whelemed with bass. I believe Serenity was the first film that ever played on that screen, and the presentation was unreal.
I’m not a bass-addict by any means :) as I EQ the bass for my home-theater to the proper level. But based on what I’ve “heard” in that Tysons IMAX screen recently, there’s either an EQ mis-adjustment or a faulty sub.
JodarMovieFan – I was at Wrath of the Titans on Friday at Tysons AMC – in the same IMAX auditorium. While I only once saw a projection problem in the 6 years the theater has been open, I have noticed that the sound quality in some of the auditoriums has diminished, most notably with the bass.
The IMAX auditorium is screen #3 I believe. I’ve been in there for some movies where the bass is jaw-droppingly powerful — creating the best movie experiences I’ve ever had — and other times where the bass is muted. The true test is during the AMC “Magic Chairs” ad. As the trees come out of the ground you should be feeling a strong bass-line rip from the subwoofer. Over the past couple of years I notice this has really declined, as often-times this piece of bass is far less powerful. As I mentioned it’s most notable in Auditorium #3. The last 2 IMAX films I’ve seen on that screen have been like this, and it has taken a bit away from the experience. One of the reasons I go the extra couple-miles to Tysons is because of the superior audio-quality that this theater can produce.
I’ve seen some of these bass-problems at the other AMC theaters like the Georgetown one, but the Tysons theater I feel has the better potential of the 2 as far as their equipment and setup.
When it first opened in late 2006, every auditorium was calibrated perfectly from what I could hear. But as I said over the years the bass has declined, and it’s most obvious for the IMAX films I’ve seen on screen # 3. The auditorium that has been most consistent has been screen #11 (the one on the very far right). I’m very sure AMC theaters use SDDS for their audio. I also hear that the theater has had THX-certification quality at certain times, despite not actually having the stamp of approval from THX. You can tell I’m observant when it comes to the audio-quality in theaters, and have also been educated a bit from friends who work for some of these companies associated with movie audio.
I’m wondering if the theater is deliberately dialing down the bass for some movies, or whether the subwoofer-parts just need replacement. If anyone affiliated with this theater reads this, I strongly suggest that the audio is re-calibrated in some of the auditoriums. While the theater always has “good” sound, I know it is capable of excellent as I’ve experienced it a few times. It has been a while though. I still will be willing to come the extra few miles if they can get the bass back up to par.
To add to it, several theaters lack in that low-frequency range. I see it fairly often and it’s almost expected in the older theaters. But the newer AMCs, especially Tysons, definitely have that deep-bass capability which discriminates them from the rest. So when it’s missing it’s very noticeable to me.
Thanks Jodar for the response.
I think there is a bass-issue in that auditorium at times, or at least there has been recently. That AMC Magic-Chairs trailer should have a very noticeable bass-line ripping from the subwoofer right after the camera pans down to the girl’s boots and you see the roots sprout out of ground (right as the chairs in front fall forward). Trailers are mixed differently, but the presentation of that AMC ad has always determined the level of bass that I will hear (feel) from the film that’s about to play. It’s actually been a very useful bass-barometer. The trailers are a pretty accurate judge as well, but the AMC ad is 100%.
I remember seeing Green Hornet on that Tysons IMAX screen and it was easily the best presentation of a film I’ve ever “heard.” The bass/sound during the Fast-Five and Thor trailers prior were beyond anything I’ve ever experienced, and what I heard in the actual film followed suit. I then made very sure I was seeing future IMAX films on that screen. Since then however, I have not seen any that have matched that level, and I’m very sure it’s not an issue of sound-mix moreover something in the theater’s levels. I remember next seeing Thor on that screen, and it wasn’t nearly as strong as the Green Hornet presentation. Again, I understand every film is mixed differently, but on a relative level I could tell there was something a touch off.
Besides IMAX films, regular films on that screen from years-back have always over-whelemed with bass. I believe Serenity was the first film that ever played on that screen, and the presentation was unreal.
I’m not a bass-addict by any means :) as I EQ the bass for my home-theater to the proper level. But based on what I’ve “heard” in that Tysons IMAX screen recently, there’s either an EQ mis-adjustment or a faulty sub.
JodarMovieFan – I was at Wrath of the Titans on Friday at Tysons AMC – in the same IMAX auditorium. While I only once saw a projection problem in the 6 years the theater has been open, I have noticed that the sound quality in some of the auditoriums has diminished, most notably with the bass.
The IMAX auditorium is screen #3 I believe. I’ve been in there for some movies where the bass is jaw-droppingly powerful — creating the best movie experiences I’ve ever had — and other times where the bass is muted. The true test is during the AMC “Magic Chairs” ad. As the trees come out of the ground you should be feeling a strong bass-line rip from the subwoofer. Over the past couple of years I notice this has really declined, as often-times this piece of bass is far less powerful. As I mentioned it’s most notable in Auditorium #3. The last 2 IMAX films I’ve seen on that screen have been like this, and it has taken a bit away from the experience. One of the reasons I go the extra couple-miles to Tysons is because of the superior audio-quality that this theater can produce.
I’ve seen some of these bass-problems at the other AMC theaters like the Georgetown one, but the Tysons theater I feel has the better potential of the 2 as far as their equipment and setup.
When it first opened in late 2006, every auditorium was calibrated perfectly from what I could hear. But as I said over the years the bass has declined, and it’s most obvious for the IMAX films I’ve seen on screen # 3. The auditorium that has been most consistent has been screen #11 (the one on the very far right). I’m very sure AMC theaters use SDDS for their audio. I also hear that the theater has had THX-certification quality at certain times, despite not actually having the stamp of approval from THX. You can tell I’m observant when it comes to the audio-quality in theaters, and have also been educated a bit from friends who work for some of these companies associated with movie audio.
I’m wondering if the theater is deliberately dialing down the bass for some movies, or whether the subwoofer-parts just need replacement. If anyone affiliated with this theater reads this, I strongly suggest that the audio is re-calibrated in some of the auditoriums. While the theater always has “good” sound, I know it is capable of excellent as I’ve experienced it a few times. It has been a while though. I still will be willing to come the extra few miles if they can get the bass back up to par.