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Author Topic: IMAX Surround Speakers
Michael Brown
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1522
From: Bradford, England
Registered: May 2001


 - posted 01-30-2009 10:04 PM      Profile for Michael Brown   Email Michael Brown   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Ok. I've been to two IMAX locations. One in Bradford and one in Manchester. In both these auditoriums I noticed that the surround audio is supplied from 2 huge speakers, one in each back corner of the auditorium. (rather that having say 10 or so smaller speakers spread over the back and side walls as is common in 'regular' 35mm auditoriums?)

Is this a standard feature for IMAX? Why is it done this way?

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Paul Linfesty
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1383
From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 1999


 - posted 01-30-2009 11:41 PM      Profile for Paul Linfesty   Email Paul Linfesty   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
This arrangement is standard in every IMAX Theatre I've ever been in. The only slight exception was the original Los Angeles Science museum IMAX (replaced by a larger one). This was the only THX certified IMAX anywhere and had two of the JBL THX certified stage speakers on the back wall (not in the top two corners).

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99


 - posted 01-31-2009 07:58 AM      Profile for Gordon McLeod   Email Gordon McLeod   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Imax like quintaphonic wanted to maintain a directional point source in the surrounds

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Joe Tommassello
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 547
From: Coatesville, PA, USA
Registered: Jan 2008


 - posted 02-04-2009 09:17 AM      Profile for Joe Tommassello   Email Joe Tommassello       Edit/Delete Post 
Quintophonic Sound? Was that ever used for anything other than "Tommy"?

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Louis Bornwasser
Film God

Posts: 4441
From: prospect ky usa
Registered: Mar 2005


 - posted 02-04-2009 01:47 PM      Profile for Louis Bornwasser   Author's Homepage   Email Louis Bornwasser   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Basically that's it unless you include "Sound 350" fro Damnation Alley (Fox's big hit that was bested by the original Star Wars. (4 tr mag with 3 large left wall-right wall-rear wall Altec A-5's) Louis

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System Notices
Forum Watchdog / Soup Nazi

Posts: 215

Registered: Apr 2004


 - posted 06-12-2011 01:08 AM      Profile for System Notices         Edit/Delete Post 

It has been 857 days since the last post.


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Fenix Huang
Film Handler

Posts: 3
From: Perth, WA, Australia
Registered: May 2011


 - posted 06-12-2011 01:08 AM      Profile for Fenix Huang   Email Fenix Huang   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hii Michael,

In re to those speakers arrangements.

Every Speaker – Clusters are to be placed in the order below :
1. Channel # 1 Left rear (theatre),
2. Channel # 2 Left screen,
3. Channel # 3 Center screen,
4. Channel # 4 Right screen,
5. Channel # 5 Right rear (theatre),
6. Channel # 6 Top Center screen,

A special power subwoofer for the deepest lows with (six) 6 x 800W (18”) for Medium Efficiency Extended Bass in a 16-cubic-foot enclosure (a cabinet size of a caravan) is provided to extend the range of the main channels and reproduce such sounds as rocket launches, thunder, close-flying aircrafts, etc. at a volume which approaches that of the original sound source. The enclosures include a filtering labyrinth IMAX ® patented design that physically traps the higher-frequency components that can otherwise cause overtones and distortion.

Each driver has its own amplifier, with average 600 Watts each for the woofers, 250 Watts for the mid-range and 40 Watts for the Bi-Radial® Design tweeters. Built into the amplifiers are adjustable corrections for high-frequency screen attenuation, horn response and time alignment. Frequencies below 80 Hz go to a separate 4,800 Watts sub-bass system with 6 x of the above 18-inches 800watts power subwoofer in that large caravan alike enclosure.

I saw the ones in OmniMAX Singapore are 8 powersubs enclosure, then become 10 units stacked soo tall. Truly amazing.

The IMAX Keong Mas Indonesia, use the same arrangement but sits like 930 people!!!! It was soo crowded and soo hot. It didnt feel like IMAX hohohohooho but more like football stadium.

Now HOYTS digital IMAX claimed their subs can blow candle lights.

The original IMAX subs blow not only just the lights but also the candles!!! The air blown from these powersubs are insane.

Cheerz

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Jonathan Goeldner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1360
From: Washington, District of Columbia
Registered: Jun 2008


 - posted 06-16-2011 04:24 PM      Profile for Jonathan Goeldner   Email Jonathan Goeldner   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
so are Hollywood films remixed for the speaker configuration of IMAX screens? I know of only one that was quasi advertised as such: the first 'Transformers' movie. While IMAX only features two channel surround sound, I thought the sound on 'Avatar' featured alot of phantom imaging between the left and right surrounds - very impressive!

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