Tier thread for audio - Page 73  

Considering the type of film that the TDK is (people, not giant creatures) gives it a different element. It is much easier to create a punchy track when you have characters that weigh 400+ pounds. I think we lose sight of these characteristics when we draw comparisons.

I need to rewatch Horton at my normal volume levels. The LFE between the 2 is a wash IMHO. KFP had a better soundtrack otherwise. The subtlety of KFP is what set it apart from the others. The wooshes and pans were the best I've heard from a soundtrack.

I agree that KFP had a better overall soundtrack. But for those that love LFE Horton Hears a Who is about the best I've heard in that regard and a real treat. Crank up the volume and give it a try!

Horton Hears a Who............tier 1

This was a solid all around track to my ears in general, but nothing special at the same time. LFE was realy good at times, but again nothing special to my ears (it was no KFP in the LFE department). The LFE had that one type of effect feeling for a lot of it and not much thought went into the variety aspect. Surround use was good, but again nothing special and could have been much better. Dialogue was great throughout. I think KFP has spoiled me as far as animated audio tracks and is a few notches above Horton all around, especialy LFE and surround use.

I agree with many on TDK. sound design is top notch with great proximity and LFE, but balance is a bit off. On the same token though, I was always able to hear what they are saying because dialogue is very clear, but when action happens it blows my roof off my house. I'd go for tier 0 if it wasnt for the balance.

I watched house of the flying daggers yesterday for the first time with the original chinese soundtrack, in 5.1 uncompressed. I think the dialogue in that movie is some of the best ive heard, extrememly clear, crisp, and loud. Great balance of sound.

I wonder how the mummy will be tomorrow? Amazing Im thinking.

The Dark Knight (Dolby THD ) Reference Tier


Oh you "bit counters and sampling rate jockeys and DTS slaves " once again a 16 bit Dolby THD track just kicks ass much like I'm Legend did, though some of you disagree there as well. Excellent all around, edges out both the Iron Man and Hulk on every level. No balance issues here at all, either some don't like wide dynamic range or have equipment issues. Also listening levels are important, if one listens at 15-20db below reference, things could get "lost". I agree with shadow that many of the sound design followed the camera's POV and it was going for realism as opposed to sensationalism. The music is also great featuring both of the returning composers from BB.



Starship Troopers 3 Mrauder ( Dolby THD) Tier 3

What stinker in every way that includes sound especially for a new production. Flat soundstage ill defined bass uninteresting music, and FX sound design. The less said is better.



A Passage to India ( Dolby THD) Tier 2

A bit dated sounding especially some of the follies and FX sound designs like the echo in the cave, or the opening rain with the umbrellas. Music remains grandiose and epic from Maurice Jarre as expected, but some of the instruments are a bit harsh sounding, especially the brass. Don't expect much of low bass here but some were present when needed, which was appropriate for the film. Dialog was clear at all times but soundstage[atmosphere] was a bit flat, especially since much of the picture is filmed outside.

You insult me then agree with me. Just kidding. I agree that it edges out Iron Man and Hulk, also no problem with the track's dynamics here either. The score might be better than the sound design, glad its back in the Oscar race.

Still not feeling the IAL track though.

Dialog is supposed to be soft in comparison to the loudest sounds on the track. I think you are confusing loudness with quality, while soft dialog is indicative of good dynamic range.

Could someone post a quick synopsis of the Tier ranking system? I'll try to rate TDK once I understand the scale more

I finished TDK last night for the second time on BR, great movie, but nothing special or different about the sound for me. I thought there were a lot of missed opportunities for something special given the magnitude of the movie itself.

I thought dialogue was clear enough, LFE was questionably applied. Batman punches a man at the party and it made a bigger "boom" than him jumping down ~5 stories onto a car and crushing it.

I did back up the part where the Joker blew up the hospital a couple times, just for my neighbors.

Just finished watching The Police Certifiable. Excellent audio and video. Reference all the way. Anyone watch Bring on the Night yet? It has DTS-MA. I'm going to get it and post. I read a review on Digital Bits that rated the audio slightly better than The Police Certifiable.

?

Wanted Tier 0

A very engaging DTS HD-MA soundstrack. Clear dialog, nice details on bullets wizzing and glass breaking, excellent use and mix of surround channels, good LFE but somethimes a bit inconsistant. Overall very nice and involving

+1 on Certifiable.... Reference

One can only dream, however I highly doubt that considering the age of the original film but who knows, Sting is a perfectionist.

Agreed on the Police. Report back when you watch Bring on the Night as I also saw that Digital Bits review and have this coming from Netflix at some point soon here. Cant wait to listen to Branford as it sounds like he puts on a hell of a performance in Bring on the Night.

Death Proof (TrueHD)---Tier 1

Wasn't impressed by the track at all. I was considering Tier 2 but I don't think it's that's bad but maybe I'm just being nice. Car effects could have been a whole lot better.

Planet Terror (TrueHD)---Tier 0

Now this track was a treat. Way better. Gunshots and other effects sounded awesome. You need to hear this one!

Can't wait to get these!

The Scorpion King 2: Rise Of a Warrior ( DTS HD MA) Tier 1

Sound design and excecution is much better then the main production, which my not say much, but I would add it holds up very well[sound wise] against the Mummy films or it's prequell, all which were far larger productions and budgets. Very good use of surrounds, clear dialog good balance, but it is a bit bass shy and dynamics are only OK. Still it's an engaging track but it's a terrible flick, so many of you will skip this no doubt.

Regarding my scoring of TDK, I have no problems with dynamic range. I watch films at -5 to 0 on the knob. The soundtrack just didn't seem very balanced to me. Different strokes.

OTOH, KFP was very balanced if not a prime description of it.

Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Warrior
High Tier 0 if not reference. This one will test your sub, that's for sure. Incredible LFE and many action scenes deliver bombastic enveloping soundfield.
Movie wasn't very good but it is great eye and ear candy.

Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian (DTS-MA 7.1)..............tier 0


Great all around track, but a few inconsistencies definately keep this out of ref IMO. The end battle in this film is pure "demo" material though.

Blame it on the slowing economy, this is all I can afford right now. But on a more important note, I just wanna keep you busy.

KFP was by the book, executed flawlessly though it didn't quite had the punch of TDK or even IM, and it never put a smile on my face. So yes different strokes alright.

I agree, very hot LFE track. I would go Tier 0 as well.

Edit..duplicate post

Plenty of them starting crying whenever the leopard was growling when I saw it. The entire escape sequence is audio heaven.

Daredevil (DTS-MA) - Tier 0
This one was better than what I was expecting, better audio than X3 and just as good as Spidey 3. Spidey 2 beats all 3 though.

From Dusk Til Dawn (DTS-MA) - Tier 1
This one really surprised me. It has some really good surround use, and atmospherics too. When all hell breaks loose the soundfield doesn't get muddled, everything is till distinct. All the small sonic details are present, and gunshots actually use the .1 channel. Speaking of LFE, it doesn't have a lot of great bass moments, but it has a few nice pulses here and there. Fidelity is great, only issues where that some of the sound effects sounded a bit dated/low budget and the audio recordings from the beginning(the gas station/hotel not the diner though) sound like they are from some student film. After that they sound perfect though. All in all a solid track.

Haven't been able to finish this, but the LFE seems very one dimensional to me (just a bunch of rumbling). The first 20 minutes of the film, seemed to utilize the surrounds nicely, then it became a little flat.

I'll have to finish this one. So I'll chime in then with my thoughts.