DTS Theater Sound Goes to 11

Or you could just properly set up a 5.1 system and achieve all the “effects” of height, width, sound from beside, above, etc.

Seriously 11 speakers and a sub…just what my wife wants…oh and 3D glasses…how much equipment do I need to “experience” 3D.

I’m good with just my 5.1 setup properly and my 60htz 2D Sharp TV.

And we also need razors with 11 blades.

For the “best” sound experience, it would probably be smarter to use the money spent on 11 speakers to buy 5 better quality speakers or a second subwoofer and, as Kivritsky points out, set it up properly. The height, width, etc. may not be quite as specifically detectable, but the overall sound experience would be much superior for the same investment.

I’m going to run out and buy all that, because an 11-speaker setup really is practical, and, let’s face it, necessary to enjoy home theater… Wait… What?!... No, forget it. 11.1 is absurd.

5.1 set up correctly will be fine.

Only one sugestion for all the 5.1 die-hards. IOSONO Sound. if you don’t know what I’m talking about the closest experience is in Orlando’s Haunted Mansion.
Make no mistake, more speakers with a well done mix translate to a more realistic and natural sound.

If you want to see the “enth” degree of what is available, far past any 9.1 or theme park, just look at the Kipnis Studio Standard. I can’t put the web address due to posting guidlines, but Google it and read it well!

http://www.kipnis-studios.com/The_Kipnis_Studio_Standard/KSS.html

Is this the correct URL?

Here’s a story we did on Kipnis’ HTs a couple of years ago: http://www.cepro.com/article/inside_the_88_kipnis_studio_standard_home_theater_system/

These systems are nothing new however. I can remember seeing Tom Holman about 10 years ago demonstrating I believe what was a 14.1 system with multiple subs using gear from Bryston and PMC.

@Robert,
Actually Mr. THX was one of the principals behind Audyssey DSX, than Dolby and DTS had to catch up. The system he showed was a FANTASTIC 11.2

The guys that are holding on to 5.1 now are the same people twenty years ego holding on to 2.0

Thanks Enrique, I’m aware of Holman’s involvement with Audyssey. I’m not sure however about him pioneering surround sound before Dolby.  Dolby had been doing surround sound before Holman even made a name through Lucas Films.

1976’s The Song Remains the Same from Led Zeppelin was one of the first Dolby Surround soundtracks to hit theaters.

As for your comment about 5.1, most people prefer it because there are only so many speakers that people want in their home spaces. Add to that the cost of adding more speakers and it’s easy to understand why 5.1 is what it is.

Throw on top of that the cost to the production process of adding additional mixing channels and subsequently the lack of native content beyond 5.1 and it’s obvious the market is satisfied with 5.1 lossless surround.

People should be happy that Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio are available. These formats are as close to the masters that consumers are going to get.

I have 7.2 and love it. With the correct surround speakers (Axiom QS8’s) and two subs you cannot go wrong. I just wish they would start to produce sound tracks to take advantage of the speakers we already have!

5.1 is great depending on the size of the room.

7.2 is not any “better” just needed for larger rooms.

I do think that two subs is always better even in smaller rooms as it smooths things out a bit on the low end.

But come on people, 11.1, or 13.4, or 73.12??? This is just a ploy to get people to upgrade again and spend mucho $$$ on something that is clearly overkill for the average person.

Robert,
What I ment was the evolution behond 5.1 was mainly push by Tom. Audyssey was the first one to come out with a scheme for Wide and Height channels and by no means I tried to implied that he invented surround sound. I’ll give that credit to Jim Fosgate.
My point is, if we are in the Custom Installation bussiness, we should not limit our minds for average or basic set-ups. we should be able to demostrate past the standard of what everyone can get at BB or any other of the big chain stores. It is only a matter of a short time before they start mixing for more channels

I always present to my clients what they cannot get anywhere else, and let them make an informed decision of everything that is available at the time.

Hi Enrique, I agree with most of what you are saying, but where I differ is that installers should focus on making the 5.1 experience as good as it can be.

It’s my opinion that it starts with system design that focuses on room acoustics, and audio and video calibration.

Yes, Dolby’s new height and surround channels add depth, but the problem with these technologies is that there’s hardly any content beyond a few gaming titles that utilize those channels as discrete solutions.

Studios have a hard enough time justifying the provisions to mix in 5.1, they certainly don’t have the money and space to add more channels during the engineering process.

Because of those reasons it’s unlikely there be a lot of content mixed to take advantage of those additional channels.

Robert,
I agree, just that 5.1 is the basic set-up and is something that’s been done for about twenety years now. I believe is time to move foward on the audio side to keep up with the advancements of video.
Also, in a typical living or family room is harder to go with more channels, but for someone with a dedicate room, the sky is the limit.
We need to realize that we get more features than what we really need nowdays, but that’s not going to stop us from getting and utilizing them and being able to offer them to our clients.

Anyways, good talking to you, I enjoy your reviews and comments. Good Weekend