do you really need an av amp to enjoy movies

stpierre76

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Hey very body, i was just ondering if i really need a av amp to enjoy movied.Should Ibuy an av amp with all the 5.1 speakers or invest in a high end gear and have only 2 channels.Already got a sanyo z3000.Do you really miss out on details and dialogues going stereo.thanks in advance
 

D.J.KRIME

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Movies are just not the same in 2 channel so IMHO yes a propper AV set up is needed to fully enjoy movies.
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Anonymous

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You have never felt an explosion or bullets flying past your head like in band of brothers, you need the rears and subwoofer.

Best investment I made.

The wife went mad, but she is loving it now.
 
'Yes' and 'no' really - course, to enjoy the full surround sound experience then a dedicated reciever or processor is essential. But, with the correct speakers and placement, a basic two channel is still a wonderful option.

With my kit I get virual surround sound, so spin let's say "Saving private Ryan" and the SQ is sensational. A lot of the cracking of gun fire one moment comes from the back garden, while someone screaming comes from the kitchen door....
 
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Anonymous

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If you want to make your partner scream then spend as much as you can on 5.1. I think now that my system is better than most local cinemas and you can pause the movie, set the sound to your own preference( I used to find the dialogue hard to follow at cinemas...pardon?) drink a cup of coffee and get comfortable.

I have to point out that there are other ways to make your partners scream.
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barrywi:

If you want to make your partner scream then spend as much as you can on 5.1. I think now that my system is better than most local cinemas and you can pause the movie, set the sound to your own preference( I used to find the dialogue hard to follow at cinemas...pardon?) drink a cup of coffee and get comfortable.

I have to point out that there are other ways to make your partners scream.
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....and the cat ((should get the microwave fixed))
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A good film really does spook the cat. The Dambusters is one the best, even though it's in Mono. Crank up the volume, and once the Lancasters fly over, the moggy goes and hides in my daughters room.
 

roger06

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plastic penguin:barrywi:

If you want to make your partner scream then spend as much as you can on 5.1. I think now that my system is better than most local cinemas and you can pause the movie, set the sound to your own preference( I used to find the dialogue hard to follow at cinemas...pardon?) drink a cup of coffee and get comfortable.

I have to point out that there are other ways to make your partners scream.
emotion-5.gif


....and the cat ((should get the microwave fixed))
emotion-3.gif


A good film really does spook the cat. The Dambusters is one the best, even though it's in Mono. Crank up the volume, and once the Lancasters fly over, the moggy goes and hides in my daughters room.

'Master and Commander' used to really freak my cat out - all the creaking timbers of the ship etc got her really confused!
 

tvmog

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stpierre76:Hey very body, i was just ondering if i really need a av amp to enjoy movied.Should Ibuy an av amp with all the 5.1 speakers or invest in a high end gear and have only 2 channels.Already got a sanyo z3000.Do you really miss out on details and dialogues going stereo.thanks in advance

My AV amp won't decode a DTS 5.1 soundtrack from my Blu ray player, so unless the movie also has a Dolby 5.1 track (and many don't) I have to listen in 2 track stereo. Yes it is sometimes fun to have bullets whistling past your ears and helicopters circling behind your sofa, but I don't think I've enjoyed a movie less just because these things were missing. There are plenty of good films where these sort of things are largely irrelevant, and if budget restraints require a quantity over quality compromise where speakers are concerned it may well be that a 2 channel option provides you with a better overall experience.
 

Big Chris

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Mmmmm...... I would agree that a movie doesn't suddenly become bad if watched on a 14" mono portable.

But much the same as a large screen does for visuals, a decent surround system immerses you in the moment more fully than none.

Also AFAIK (And I'll admit, I've not checked all of them). My BDs have HD and 'regular' 5.1 soundtracks. Haven't found one with a HD 5.1 and only 2 channel regular soundtracks (foreign languages excepted).
 

chudleighpaul

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tvmog:

stpierre76:Hey very body, i was just ondering if i really need a av amp to enjoy movied.Should Ibuy an av amp with all the 5.1 speakers or invest in a high end gear and have only 2 channels.Already got a sanyo z3000.Do you really miss out on details and dialogues going stereo.thanks in advance

My AV amp won't decode a DTS 5.1 soundtrack from my Blu ray player, so unless the movie also has a Dolby 5.1 track (and many don't) I have to listen in 2 track stereo. Yes it is sometimes fun to have bullets whistling past your ears and helicopters circling behind your sofa, but I don't think I've enjoyed a movie less just because these things were missing. There are plenty of good films where these sort of things are largely irrelevant, and if budget restraints require a quantity over quality compromise where speakers are concerned it may well be that a 2 channel option provides you with a better overall experience.
Why wont your amp decode a DTS 5.1 soundtrack?
 

stpierre76

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Thanks to everybody for positive feedback.much appreciated.Will keep on saving and buy a high to mid priced av gear such such as the arcam 500 or may be the pioneer 82.thanks
 

ear

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so many factors in 5.1 sound.for example surround speakers...these must be placed very carefuuly and...to be in the sweet spot...its hard. easy for 1 person only...
 
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Anonymous

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Yes, setting up is important, If you go for the Pio 82 then Advanced MCACC will set them up nicely.

Go for the surround speakers and AVR, you won't regret it.
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Anonymous

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With all this talk of 3D these days, I think I should add that if you're used to stereo sound whilst watching films, it is amazing how much a decently set up 5.1 system can bring a film to life and draw you into the film. With stereo, you're watching the screen 'over there', with a surround set up, you're in the film.

On the subject of scaring cats, occasionally something loud will make her go hide... but nothing has scared the bejesus out of her like the time she was sitting less than a foot in front of the sub when the Avatar THX trailer came on.
 
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Anonymous

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Before invest to expensive multichannel AV system answer two simple questions to yourself:
1) how many movies you are watching more then once;
2) what type of movies are they which you are watching more than once
 

tvmog

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chudleighpaul:tvmog:

stpierre76:Hey very body, i was just ondering if i really need a av amp to enjoy movied.Should Ibuy an av amp with all the 5.1 speakers or invest in a high end gear and have only 2 channels.Already got a sanyo z3000.Do you really miss out on details and dialogues going stereo.thanks in advance

My AV amp won't decode a DTS 5.1 soundtrack from my Blu ray player, so unless the movie also has a Dolby 5.1 track (and many don't) I have to listen in 2 track stereo. Yes it is sometimes fun to have bullets whistling past your ears and helicopters circling behind your sofa, but I don't think I've enjoyed a movie less just because these things were missing. There are plenty of good films where these sort of things are largely irrelevant, and if budget restraints require a quantity over quality compromise where speakers are concerned it may well be that a 2 channel option provides you with a better overall experience.

Why wont your amp decode a DTS 5.1 soundtrack?

Its an all in one DVD home cinema in box type thing. It does however have an addtional optical in which allows me to conect up the Sky HD box and Blu ray. Although it can decode DTS 5.1 from its internal DVD player it will only decode Dolby over the optical connection. Its not a fault as the manual points out the limitation. A proper AV amp is next on the list
 

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