Best Movie/Scene to Test My New Speakers?

[L.J.]

Threw in The Island last night. I know, not many Michael Bay fans here, but I do love this movie! The city chase scene sounded incredible! Also watched V for Vendetta (again), and it was like hearing it for the first time. I was rather maniacal at times yesterday, like a man possessed! I was tossing in dvds, playing the cool scenes, and yankin' 'em out just to put in another. Master and Commander, Empire Strikes Back, Matrix. Even picked up Pearl Harbor for eight bucks - just for the sound! I may have some more tweaking to do, as Empire sounded a little over-driven for my new babies. Maybe they require more in-depth settings from my Pioneer VSX-815 than the old Sonys. Overall, it's just silly how much fun I'm having!

Hmm......sounds like me when I upgraded from my Sony's to current Energy system. Not only was there a huge improvent for movie, but also music. Man I went through most of my CD collection that first week.

One of my first demo disc for my new setup was the T-rex scene on JP. Well there's a storm going on the background right. Well on my new system there was a STORM going on in the background. Huge difference. Glad your enjoying your new gear.

[Defshep]

Hmm......sounds like me when I upgraded from my Sony's to current Energy system. Not only was there a huge improvent for movie, but also music. Man I went through most of my CD collection that first week.

One of my first demo disc for my new setup was the T-rex scene on JP. Well there's a storm going on the background right. Well on my new system there was a STORM going on in the background. Huge difference. Glad your enjoying your new gear.

L.J., it was you who encouraged me to move on from the Sonys with your helpful comparisons. Thanks again. And you were right about Master and Commander! I... gotta go... Must...play... Superbit Black Hawk Down..

[Lensman]

Fellowship of the Ring: Moria to The Bridge of Khazad-dum sequence. From pinpoint localizing to moving 3D audio effects to ambient sounds, whispers and flickers of torches to cataclysmic crashes, low bass to high treble, it all gets a work out.

Imax Super Speedway: Test track sequence. If you don't get a bit just a bit nervous, your speakers need to be moved/recalibrated.

[Defshep]

I believe that LOTR dvd / scene was actually the first one I played on the new setup. One of my absolute favorites.

[Woochifer]

Fellowship of the Ring: Moria to The Bridge of Khazad-dum sequence. From pinpoint localizing to moving 3D audio effects to ambient sounds, whispers and flickers of torches to cataclysmic crashes, low bass to high treble, it all gets a work out.

Imax Super Speedway: Test track sequence. If you don't get a bit just a bit nervous, your speakers need to be moved/recalibrated.

IMAX DVDs are a great suggestion. On Sir Terrence's recommendation, I picked up a few of them and I've been floored with how well the surround mixing was done on those soundtracks. IMAX theaters are built to comparable dimensions so they use point source surround speaker clusters in the corners rather than speaker arrays that run along the side and back walls. This is more similar to how a home theater is arranged, and it seems that the soundtracks are mixed and optimized accordingly.

LOTR:FOTR is a well done soundtrack IF you're talking about the extended edition. The soundtrack on the theatrical cut DVD had the levels set way too high, and audibly distorted in some scenes.