Favorite Movie Theaters

[anamorphic96]

Interesting. I see whatt youre saying about adding a sub to each screen channel. I was thinking in a more traditional sense.

I have not heard the HPS system yet so I cant give any input as to the sound. Im definiteley fascinated. However some of the engineers I have spoken with that have heard the system think its nothing special and John Allen is a bit of a quack. However I have noticed that alot of these engineers are not very open minded.

From what I recollect there use to be some HPS houses in the LA area. But I cant seem to locate these locations. My question is if these systems are so great why dont the studios employ his systems at special venues out on the west coast. I only seem to hear about the east coast locations. Is the cost prohibitive to most companies ? What is the current rate at which he installs these systems ? If the system is so great it just seems like there would be more locations equipped. But I would have to think some of this is politics.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Interesting. I see whatt youre saying about adding a sub to each screen channel. I was thinking in a more traditional sense.

Alot of installs done these days are far from traditional. With sound having a major emphasis in movies, stadium seating, and a theaters owners desire for high quality sound, we have had to be a little more inventive and resourceful.

I have not heard the HPS system yet so I cant give any input as to the sound. Im definiteley fascinated. However some of the engineers I have spoken with that have heard the system think its nothing special and John Allen is a bit of a quack. However I have noticed that alot of these engineers are not very open minded.

Alot of narrow minded industry "traditionalist" think John Allen is a quack because of his non industry approach to theater tuning, and system design. Raher than just go by the industry standard, John has taken the time to actually test the standards, see their weaknesses, and then come up with some other approaches that work better. The industry is full of non inventive, business as usual types who think their is only one way to crack a problem. Whether you look at HPS system on paper(technical merit) or by ear, their system sounds more natural, has lower distortion, greater total output, the ability to move more air, is less costly, requires less acoustical treatment, and reveals more detail than any EV or JBL based system I have ever heard. He proved without a doubt in a 1995 industry sponsored shootout with his system against a finely tuned THX system based around JBL components, that his system, and method of tuning was superior to the industry standard. He really created a buzz amoung the 300 people that attended this shootout, as there was no doubt that he was really on to something with his approach. I walked away from the shootout so convinced that he was taking the right approach that I asked him to school me. Been doing it his way on his systems every since. I follow industry standards with JBL, EV and Smart systems, and follow Johns way on HPS systems.

From what I recollect there use to be some HPS houses in the LA area. But I cant seem to locate these locations

The houses you refer to were in the Century Plaza theater that has since been torn down.

. My question is if these systems are so great why dont the studios employ his systems at special venues out on the west coast.

First Johns business is way smaller than EV, Smart, JBL, Dolby, and most other theater suppliers. He is essentially the business along with a few specially trained freelance people. Second, he doesn't have the marketing budget that the other companies do.

Showscan theaters(now defunct) used his system, but the west coast is THX territory.

I only seem to hear about the east coast locations. Is the cost prohibitive to most companies ? What is the current rate at which he installs these systems ? If the system is so great it just seems like there would be more locations equipped. But I would have to think some of this is politics.

Actually his system is cheaper to install than a THX system. His system requires less acoustical treatment, doesn't need to be biamped, is designed specifically for behind the screen installs, so it doesn't have the screen spread or roll off characteristic of a THX system, requires less eq, fewer subs per acoustical output, has lower distortions, and a flatter response than a THX system. Because you need fewer amps, fewer subs, and less acoustical treatment, the overall cost is a bit lower. The main problem for HPS IMO stems from the fact that they have no infrastructure. John is the main man, and he only hires what he needs instead of keeping a staff of technicians. Would you install a system that only has 10 technicians all over the country, or a system that can be serviced by hundreds? That is the question that most theater owners must ask themselves.

You are right, politics(and the ole buddy network) place a HUGE role in this. Remember Dolby, JBL, and THX have had an extremely close relationship since 1983 when the THX standards were established. In the begining of THX, only JBL components along with Dolby liscensed products were certified. It has only been in the last 10 years that EV, Smart, and other manufacturers of theater A and B chain products have been able to submit product for certification. THX claims that only direct radiating bass units can acheive their rated specs for certification.

[anamorphic96]

Must be truly frustrating to have this kind of mentality when you see current standards being exceeded by a cheaper superior system. They probably just dont want to admit there wrong and need to update standards.

My theatre has four medium houses that run a typical 3 amp configuration. (QSC 1400's) With two JBL subs being driven off one channel of a 1400. I have blown 6 drivers because of this and the technician refuses to see the glaring issue. The subs need more power. The ironic thing is I have about 6 perfectly good amps sitting in a parts room that could solve this problem. I also have all the crossovers needed to bi amp these houses as well. But the mentality is the customers can't here the difference. The other frustrating part is the company has gotten away from using JBL replacements and throwing in some no name sub driver. Truly very frustrating.

I also see your point in regards to the number of technicians qualified to service an HPS location. Makes perfect sense.

Thanks for the input.