We are using the rears more wisely these days...
When I did my first 5.1 soundtrack the director and producer wanted me to put alot of effects into the surrounds that were pretty loud and over the top. Their reasons was you have these split surrounds now we should use them. Nowadays subtlies are the norm. The rears are used alot more, but just in a more subtle way.
If you read your post real quick like...
Quote:
Originally Posted by eqm
just pop in "Master and Commander"....in case you're in need of some "rear action".
it's enough to get you banned on this site!!!! :D If you read it real slow you're in real trouble too...
Da Worfster
Here's something for you to try, FA
Quote:
Originally Posted by ForeverAutumn
I had noticed that too actually. I just thought that the movies that we were renting just didn't have a lot of background noise (that could still be the case). We're not really into the big action flicks that have lots of sound effects. We rent more subtle films that just tell a good story or an interesting character study. So, if the rear speakers don't have much sound...it's not really missed.
I dunno, FA, we did fine for years without surround sound, but put in your favorite drama/romantic comedy etc, where there's little action footage or special effects and mostly dialogue or whatever....then use your receiver to disable the rear speakers (or just disconnect them)...you might be surprised at how much the subtle ambient cues add to the experience.
I might be fussy, but when I was in the process of building my home theater speakers I was forced to go back to the old days of using 2-speakers for awhile while I tried finding the time to build the rest...losing the center sucked! Took care of that first. Not having a sub was kinda crappy on some movies soundtracks, but really aweful on action flicks - especially after I just got the new widescreen HDTV, but because of supplier issues I had to build that last. Then I absolutely hated the "empty sound" I got from only having 3 front speakers...I really missed the surrounds - and my fiancee agreed that the surround ambiance is sorely missed once you lose it.
Uggh...I'm in the process of refinishing the 6th and 7th speakers and I hate being down to 5.1. Kinda like power locks in your car...I swore I didn't care and would never pay for them, but now I don't know how I ever got by without....