Article: Embracing Immersive Audio

[JoeWhip]

I heartedly agree with Chris and Arch. When done right, Atmos music adds a sense of realism that 2 channel simply can’t match. Then you add the brain cell eating ability to add 4K video and movies, it is a win win across the board. Sone of the folks at Stereophile must never have heard a well set up hone Atmos system. Their loss not mine.

[JoeWhip]

I will continue to write about Atmos and stereo but really spend no time at all trying to get folks into 2 channel anymore but instead encouraging folks to give immersive audio a try. Immersive is the future.

[JoeWhip]

Fas42 lives in some alternate reality with his high end boombox.

[JoeWhip]

I have heard these arguments from fellow audiophiles. The thing is, when you go to a concert hall, you are not getting a 2 channel experience but an immersive one. But, what do I know.

[JoeWhip]

Had to chime in again there. What utter tosh by Mr. Austin. Makes me embarrassed to be an audiophile.

[JoeWhip]

I played some TrueHD Atmos and some Atmos from Apple Music for a touring rock guitarist at my home on Thanksgiving. He was shocked by what he heard. He loved it. One convert at a time.

[JoeWhip]

I have had conversations with folks at Dolby involved with Atmos. They are pushing the labels to release TrueHD Atmos discs as they fully realize how much better they sound than DD+. Hopefully we will see more. Besides the DD+ v. trueHD issue. I have found the physical media conundrum. One of my favorite mixes still is the Bob James Feels like making live album. Downloaded from Immersive Audio Album in a MKV file, it sounds sensational. Until I grabbed the 4k ultra HD Blu ray release. The physical media sounds better in every way,. Maybe it is the player v. The Nvidia Shield, who knows, but give us more physical media. Are you listening Don Was?

[JoeWhip]

Atmos is rather new on tge screen for music The engineers will get better and better using it and the mixes will get better and better, just like Morten at 2L and Ulricke Schwartz.

[JoeWhip]

I thought Dave Was had me on speed dial or at least his Rolodex. 😎

[JoeWhip]

Duh, I am dumb. I will contact him immediately.

[JoeWhip]

4 hours ago, firedog said:

Why can't they just release the TrueHD as a download?

They did, in a MKV file. The disc played back on my player just sounds better for whatever reason. 

[JoeWhip]

3 hours ago, botrytis said:

 

It is Frank. Sorry to say, he doesn't know when to stop. He likes to wave a red blanket in front of a charging bull.

I have had him on ignore on this site and another one for years now.

[JoeWhip]

I do not need 12 Wilson’s to get great results. Far from it. You can get great results with immersive audio without spending a bundle.

[JoeWhip]

There will always be disagreements on the artistic choices made by sound mixers in stereo, MC or immersive. I have some MC SACDs where I think the choices were awful. Same with stereo and Immersive. A pet peeve of mine in stereo is panning the drum kit across the soundstage, it can be a great sounding overall recording but that is not how drums sound live. I can still thoroughly enjoy the music though.

[JoeWhip]

I agree with Jud. I have known Andy for awhile and he was always a champion for multichannel audio. I can recall discussions back in the old and shall remain nameless Philly area group with Andy and another very passionate guy who is no longer with us who really was forceful about the superiority of MC v. Stereo. Back in the, gasp, 90’s. MC has come a long way since then and with current and future tech, he was right all along. That does not mean I do not enjoy two channel, I do, and am about to take delivery of a new pre amp which I will review and yes, I paid full retail. They both bring me great enjoyment. BTW Jud, I still have a Theta Pro Basic with the final upgrade displayed in my two channel room which still works and still sounds pretty good, considering it is from the mid nineties.

[JoeWhip]

Indeed, I listened to some Apple Music Atmos today that was quite good. I even love what I heard last night watching a live concert  DVD for heaven’s sake sending the lossy DTS  track through the DTS Neural X renderer.  Don’t ask though as no audiophile other than Audiodoctor would approve of the artist.

[JoeWhip]

You do not sound confused at all Confused and you are doing just what I did. The  2021 Apple TV box is amazing, the video and sound beats the pants off all the apps on my TV.

[JoeWhip]

I do not see why classical orchestra pieces should be any different. Of course, having parts of the orchestra would not make any sense, at least to me, but the live orchestral pieces I have in Atmos more realistically recreate the sound I hear in a concert hall than I have ever heard stereo do. A more sense of space, size and dynamics with ambiance in the surrounds and height speakers. 

[JoeWhip]

I attended a Mahler concert by the Philly Orchestra where in angels were up top in the rear balcony. Singing. That would be great in Immersive.

[JoeWhip]

I am writing a movie script right now, The Man with 40 Wilsons. It is a Hitchcock inspired thriller.

[JoeWhip]

Sounds like The Sphere is coming to Minney Soda.