Article: The Dark Side of the Moon in Dolby TrueHD Atmos

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[krass]

wish I had a system (& room) capable of playing this sort of production. 
 

I was lucky enough to see them play at Wembley (& other venues) several times between 1973 & about 1980. (Each time was a totally immersive lossless event, too). Hearing their music in high fidelity always brings back a little bit of that for me….

 

 

[JoeWhip]

I only have a 5.1.2 system but this mix was superb.

[ted_b]

This is clearly my favorite mix, and not just because we are on an Atmos run right now!!  :)  Up until now the quad mix was my favorite, but I'm always open to listen to the 5.1 too.  However, this Atmos mix gives all the elements the room they need to Breathe, breathe in the air.  The real estate afforded each great note and effect are exactly what this recording needed.  And the mix is also a bit subdued in its overall punch (almost like great vinyl) but I love it.  There are only a couple times where I wish it had the in-your-face steeliness of the 5.1, and those moments pass quickly.  I call it dreamy immersion, and sounds almost like the boys intended to record it this way.  Amazing! 

 

The only downside of the "dreamy" aspect is that it could be called rolled off in a few spots, and those spots do not come across well enough in the compressed apple stream, but hit it perfectly in the TrueHD uncompressed presentation.  I think several folks who only listen via Apple Music may come away less than blown away.  Oh well....first world problems.  :)

 

If James Guthrie truly did this Atmos mix on his own, he knows what the hell he's doing.  As Chris said, maybe its because this is his baby (although Alan Parsons genes would show up in that DNA sample too). 

 

In this golden era of Atmos, this golden recording gets the treatment it deserves.  Well done.

[bobfa]

This is the first ATMOS album I have listened to on my AirPods Pro 2, showing what Apple has done with its hardware and software.  It is also very cool on the M1 MacBook Air Speakers!

 

 

This work thing has gotten in the road of a listen on the 7.1.4 system.    Maybe just a taste before bed!

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

28 minutes ago, bobfa said:

This is the first ATMOS album I have listened to on my AirPods Pro 2, showing what Apple has done with its hardware and software.  It is also very cool on the M1 MacBook Air Speakers!

 

 

This work thing has gotten in the road of a listen on the 7.1.4 system.    Maybe just a taste before bed!

 

 

That taste could turn into a 10 song taste. 

[Currawong]

3 hours ago, bobfa said:

This is the first ATMOS album I have listened to on my AirPods Pro 2, showing what Apple has done with its hardware and software.  It is also very cool on the M1 MacBook Air Speakers!

 

 

This work thing has gotten in the road of a listen on the 7.1.4 system.    Maybe just a taste before bed!

When I saw this on the front page I had to get out out the AirPods Pro 2 as well and give it a run. There's obviously a lack of ultimate nuance through such devices, but I have found, since buying the original Audeze Mobius headphones, which have 3D audio built in, that this kind of enhancement makes listening on cheaper devices far more enjoyable. Not to mention that the tech in Airpods is incredible, beyond what most people realise.

[JoeWhip]

I agree Currawong. With Atmos you can get much better performance  than you would have thought with less expensive equipment. It has really transformed my older HT system. 

[jhwalker]

This is sold out just about everywhere online at the original price ($280 US).  Lots of sets still available ... at $400 and up :/  but I'm not paying that LOL.

 

Taking the poor man's way out and listening to the compressed Atmos stream via Apple Music - sounds wonderful.

[Miro]

Wow! Thank you for this excellent and comprehensive review. Finally, I found someone who truly appreciates new sound formats like Dolby Atmos and recognizes how this format can transform the listening experience not only in movies but also in music. While there are many reviews on the internet focusing on different aspects of this newest Pink Floyd release, not many seems to be highlighting the best aspect, which is the one Blu-ray with Atmos mix. If any album deserves the best immersive sound format, it is this one, given the incredible sound effects and deeper meaning behind these epic compositions.

I am also pleased to hear that the Blu-ray disc sounds much better than streaming. When I listened to the Atmos version on Apple Music, I was not impressed at all. While I noticed fantastic positioning of instruments and sound effects in space around me, the entire album sounded dull and lacked dynamic range on Apple Music. In contrast, the surround version on my ASCD from 2003 sounds twice as dynamic and vivid. Therefore, I am thrilled to hear that the Atmos disc version of the 50th anniversary release sounds fantastic.

Once again, thank you for your review. I am confident that it will help many readers decide whether to purchase this very expensive release. It certainly helped me in my decision-making process.

[Josh Mound]

I don’t have the set yet. But I can’t believe it includes a reproduction of the vintage Pink Floyd poster I have in my office/listening room!

 

[AnotherSpin]

I had two inserts/posters from the original LP of one of the first printings for a long time, I kept them after the LP went to I don't remember where. I think the first one hung on the wall for a few years. Images from the internet. 

 

 

[AnotherSpin]

By the way, the very first time I listened to DSOTM was on a tape reel copy, on a Soviet tape recorder exactly like the one on a picture below. It was Chaika (Seagull) 66. It had a wooden, faux-leather case, and one or two tubes inside. Of course, Pink Floyd LPs were not for sale in the USSR, a friend of mine helped me to get a tape recorder copy, made a few months after the album was released. The original LP came into my hands a few years later.

No slightest doubt listening reel-to-reel copy is a complete and absolute alternative to the modern ATMOS experience. Nevertheless, I remember my excitement at the first listen. The sounds seemed completely unlike anything I had listened to before. Real magic. I'd love to go back and listen again to that tape.

 

[bbosler]

Quote

I picked up the Super Deluxe boxed set from Down in the Valley here in Minneapolis, solely for the Blu-ray containing the lossless TrueHD Atmos version. 

 

This is a frustrating situation. I bought some of the deluxe Beatles sets just to get the BluRay but I can't keep shelling out hundreds of $$ to get what I want (the BluRay) that should cost tens of $$. Is the market for these discs so limited that there is no money to be made selling just the BluRay, or is it a calculated move to force those of us who want only the disc to pay the premium for the box set? Since the DSOTM box sold out it seems they could make a few $$ selling just the BluRay. 

 

In any case... I would love to have the DSOTM BluRay and would pay a reasonable amount, but not $280 for the box just to get it.

 

 

 

 

 

[krass]

sorry if this is a dumb question… is it easy/ possible to rip the 24/192 stereo mix from the Blu-ray disc ? 

My home ripping experiences so far are limited to CDs using a drive that can read CD, DVD-A I assume, but probably not BluRay. I only have a BluRay player.

 

Dont want to take this thread off topic so happy if anybody can advise by direct message if it’s a bit complicated….

 

(I have just ordered the box set and pickup tomorrow)

 

 

[Temporal_Dissident]

Great review, Chris. My copy delivers soon and I plan to do a listening party in the lounge we are building on the JBL Synthesis 7.2.6 system. We may even do the Wizard of Oz thing on projection screen, just for laughs.  

[bbosler]

Acoustic Sounds has limited stock for $300 + tax as of 3-26-23 at 3:00 central

 

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/175539/Pink_Floyd-The_Dark_Side_Of_the_Moon_50th_Anniversary_Box__Live_at_Wembley_Empire_Pool_London_1974-Multi-Format_Box_Sets

 

yes, of course, I bought one

 

I am beginning to think this is a disease 

[Miro]

19 hours ago, Miro said:

Wow! Thank you for this excellent and comprehensive review. Finally, I found someone who truly appreciates new sound formats like Dolby Atmos and recognizes how this format can transform the listening experience not only in movies but also in music. While there are many reviews on the internet focusing on different aspects of this newest Pink Floyd release, not many seems to be highlighting the best aspect, which is the one Blu-ray with Atmos mix. If any album deserves the best immersive sound format, it is this one, given the incredible sound effects and deeper meaning behind these epic compositions.

I am also pleased to hear that the Blu-ray disc sounds much better than streaming. When I listened to the Atmos version on Apple Music, I was not impressed at all. While I noticed fantastic positioning of instruments and sound effects in space around me, the entire album sounded dull and lacked dynamic range on Apple Music. In contrast, the surround version on my SACD from 2003 sounds twice as dynamic and vivid. Therefore, I am thrilled to hear that the Atmos disc version of the 50th anniversary release sounds fantastic.

Once again, thank you for your review. I am confident that it will help many readers decide whether to purchase this very expensive release. It certainly helped me in my decision-making process.

 

[firedog]

15 hours ago, krass said:

sorry if this is a dumb question… is it easy/ possible to rip the 24/192 stereo mix from the Blu-ray disc ? 

My home ripping experiences so far are limited to CDs using a drive that can read CD, DVD-A I assume, but probably not BluRay. I only have a BluRay player.

 

Dont want to take this thread off topic so happy if anybody can advise by direct message if it’s a bit complicated….

 

(I have just ordered the box set and pickup tomorrow)

 

 

 

This is an old guide by Chris, but it still works on modern systems

 

[scintilla]

I went to my local record store yesterday looking for goodies and he has one copy of this left.  But it is (gulp) $329.  Is that Atmos mix really worth THAT much?  I mean, I already have an original MoFi DSOTM that I bought new in the 80's and the multichannel SACD mixed by Guthrie. I am only lacking the 4.1 Parsons mix. Is that included in this set too?

[Quad 405]

I had written off the idea of getting the box set but was prompted by the great review to look on Amazon again to get the Atmos mix. They had one in the Amazon Warehouse at a great price and it arrived today in better shape than I expected. It had been opened but the box and contents were still ok. I'm looking forward to having a listen at the weekend.

[Jedburgh]

21 hours ago, scintilla said:

I went to my local record store yesterday looking for goodies and he has one copy of this left.  But it is (gulp) $329.  Is that Atmos mix really worth THAT much?  I mean, I already have an original MoFi DSOTM that I bought new in the 80's and the multichannel SACD mixed by Guthrie. I am only lacking the 4.1 Parsons mix. Is that included in this set too?

No - the quad mix has been left out from this box, its available in the Immersion box from some years back, it  is of course expensive - but I must say the Atmos mix is worth it to me - and I own any available digital format of this amazing album already! The Atmos is the best of them alll - amazingly good…

[bbosler]

My order from Acoustic sounds for $299 + tax was cancelled with no explanation. I assume they ran out

 

I just looked on Amazon and they have it for $254 coming from Amazon UK with free shipping so I went for it

[bbosler]

Quote

Guthrie uses every channel in my 7.1.4 system, at the right time. 

 

I know it may be too complex an answer for here, but can you point me to an explanation/discussion about how this is all encoded?

 

I know TrueHD is capable of using objects with metadata and your processor figures out the decoding to place the object in space, but I don't understand how the channels works. When you say it uses all my 7.1.4  channels , does that mean it is hard encoded with  12 channels, or that your processor decodes it and uses however many channels are available? So if you had 7.1.6 or 9.1.6 would it use all 14 or 16, or would it still be 12 channels because it is encoded with 12 channels?

 

you see a question on various forums where somebody asks something like "how many channels does Apple TV Atmos stream" or "how many channels is Netflix Atmos" so in the same vein, how many channels are encoded in this TrueHD mix? .. and I can't find a good answer. 

 

thanks

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

9 minutes ago, bbosler said:

 

I know it may be too complex an answer for here, but can you point me to an explanation/discussion about how this is all encoded?

 

I know TrueHD is capable of using objects with metadata and your processor figures out the decoding to place the object in space, but I don't understand how the channels works. When you say it uses all my 7.1.4  channels , does that mean it is hard encoded with  12 channels, or that your processor decodes it and uses however many channels are available? So if you had 7.1.6 or 9.1.6 would it use all 14 or 16, or would it still be 12 channels because it is encoded with 12 channels?

 

you see a question on various forums where somebody asks something like "how many channels does Apple TV Atmos stream" or "how many channels is Netflix Atmos" so in the same vein, how many channels are encoded in this TrueHD mix? .. and I can't find a good answer. 

 

thanks

 

Here are some screenshots showing the output. I appears that the TrueHD Atmos only sends audio to 12 channels (7.1.4), using the official Dolby decoder. 

 

These shots were taken at random times, so ignore the output level. I sampled the entire album randomly and the channel output was identical in all testing (not talking about volume of course). 

 

7.1.4

 

 

 

 

 

9.1.4

 

 

 

 

9.1.6