Picture or Sound?

[admin_exported]

Do you feel you get more (in terms of cinematic experience/home cinema pleasure) from a bigger picture or better sound?

How much would you forfeit one for the other? --Deciding whether to skimp on the amp/speakers for a decent projector.

 

[topbloke55]

For me the sound it was engages you into the movie, wrapping around you and generating the emotional response.

They are both important as the director spend a lot of time on designing both to give that full movie experience.

But then it is a personal thing, but remember a medium size screen with a matching size sound track will give a better over all movie that a big screen with a small sound track, it will just not feel right. Imagine going to the local Odean and then having a Getto blaster at the front playing the sound, would not really be the same. I know that is an extreme example.

All that said you do not mention what you are going for, it maybe that in a normal size UK lounge the sound system you are going for will fill the room and support the screen?

 

[Anonymous]

They go hand in hand for me - equal emphasis. Precisely why I don't watch movies at the cinema now.

 

[matengawhat]

until you buy a projector and have 106inch image in your lounge the sound but then you just can't live without that big screen!!!

 

[Davegasman]

Got to be the sound for me, though saying that my tv is not that large!?

 

[Messiah]

laj:
Do you feel you get more (in terms of cinematic experience/home cinema pleasure) from a bigger picture or better sound?

How much would you forfeit one for the other? --Deciding whether to skimp on the amp/speakers for a decent project.

When you say skimp on the amp/speakers it depends what that means. If you are still going to get a fairly decent sound system then I would certainly go for the projector for the better cinematic experience. Personally I think you can get a lot of pleasure out of a modest surround system and don't need to spend loads.

What package are you looking at??

 

[John Duncan]

I'd rather watch a fantastic telly with fantastic stereo sound than a lesser TV with mediocre surround sound.

 

[Anonymous]

People, if you can separate sound from picture then something definitely wrong with that movie. Sound is (must be) just emotional background for story.

If you have to choose one - go for picture. My personal preference will be quality screen with good stereo amp/speakers (more useful for music in the meantime). Maybe I am already too old but to give preference to multiple speakers because of sound effects is a result of marketer's brain washing than real necessity to enjoy movie.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice to read the replies guys. I thought it might divide opinion 🙂.

I'm really torn. I've been umming and ahhing for weeks now.

Likely to be some combination of either Sony 360, Pioneer 320 or Denon 2500 with either 1910, 2310 or 3310. I have Dynaudio Audience 52 fronts and 122 center. Planning to add either M-1's or q1010i's for rears--would I notice much difference in rears?

 

[Anonymous]

I've had a big screen and now have a 37" LCD and I've had decent sound and now have pretty good sound.

I must say that if I had to choose I'd choose the sound. There are exeptions though, don't get a tiny tv and a top notch sound system.

 

[professorhat]

theactiv:I must say that if I had to choose I'd choose the sound. There are exeptions though, don't get a tiny tv and a top notch sound system.

Absolutely agreed - a degree of common sense is needed - an 8" portable with a 11.2 THX certified sound system is silly, but then so is a projector and a tiny Pure radio handling sound duties. If I had to choose between the two though, I'd choose the 8" TV. For me, nothing else immerses you in a film like a decent surround system and I would always allocate a lot more of my budget for this system than I would for the display.

 

[Big Chris]

Concur with the majority that it's about balance, but a massive and immersing soundtrack floats my boat more than picture, and is easier to achieve too, which helps.