r/DolbyAtmosContent • u/Emergency_Ad7808 • 18d ago
discussion Why
Why do you have home theaters?
I don’t have one, currently I have more than the full Sonos setup in my living room and I dream of a proper home theater. But I was wondering why. I mean I love movies and gaming, also listening to music. And with such a setup it becomes amazing. But my main motivation for me is be fully immersed. I wanna stop thinking about anything, forget that I am me and be just with the movie, game or music. And I noticed something.
I started with just a soundbar and then gradually added more speakers. But my thoughts didn’t stop and I didn’t get immersed more. And I’m betting it won’t change with a proper HT. Don’t get me wrong it’s still amazing and I love it, but my main problem won’t be solved like that. My dream of a HT doesn’t come just from inspiration but also from restlessness. I mean if I didn’t have the problem anymore I’d probably still do it. I’m just reflecting
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u/CheapSuggestion8 18d ago
My home theater sounds much, much better than a movie theater sound system.
There are other reasons, but that is my primary reason.
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u/acroback 18d ago
Have you heard what dual SVS 15 inch subs sound like with room filling sounds from quality speakers?
No matter what people say, a good Home theater sounds a lot better than a movie theater.
Especially if you can play Blu-ray Discs. In short you feel the weight of the sound.
This is enough reason to invest in a HT. I prefer watching movies at home now.
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u/Spectre_08 18d ago edited 18d ago
Why You Shouldn't Buy A Soundbar
Wife and I both used to go to the movies on our own growing up. To say we love cinema is an understatement. We also appreciate quality, opting for our local AMC Dolby Cinema showroom for the best audio and video.
I build home theaters for my clientele and after moving to a place with enough room for a proper setup, began to build my own.
I originally had a soundbar. It sounded alright, but I already knew what a decent home theater sounded like and there was no comparison.
Replaced the soundbar with an AVR, a pair of bookshelf speakers and a decent subwoofer - immediate improvement, even with fewer speakers. Later added another sub, a center channel, surrounds, and mounted bookshelf speakers overhead for Atmos heights - just like what the cinema does. That was my 5.2.2 setup on a very modest budget (under $2000) and it was close to the immersion level of our local theater. And importantly, far better than any soundbar setup I’ve ever heard.
Eventually, I replaced almost everything with better equipment and expanded to my current 7.3.4 setup, selling the previous gear to offset the cost of the upgrades. I installed an additional pair of surrounds, another pair of ceiling-mounted bookshelf speakers, and added tactile transducers to the seating. I also built a number of DIY acoustic panels, which greatly improved the setup overall. Going to either our local true 70mm IMAX or AMC is now a downgrade compared to our home theater.
Imagine watching every TV show, every movie, listening to every song, playing every video game, at the movie theater. Now imagine that it sounds even better than what you’re used to. We get to enjoy every bit of media on a system that fully takes advantage of the medium.
That’s why I have a home theater.
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I’m sure you have heard of diminishing returns. The funny thing is, most people think of it wrong. They get the best thing they can afford at the time and think, “the more expensive stuff can’t be that much better than this.”
They’re wrong.
At every single price point, something is gained for the added cost. Whether you can afford that extra cost dictates your thinking on it. The sky is the limit on a traditional speaker-based setup. A soundbar-based setup, however, has a hard ceiling that cannot be exceeded, no matter how much money you have to throw at it.
There are many problems with soundbars but the biggest issue is that, from the start, you’re locked in to an inferior product. Your own thoughts on diminishing returns are based off a system that has zero advantages over a traditional speaker and receiver setup.
Also, immersion requires proper speakers, properly-placed around and - importantly - above you. Soundbars cram a bunch of tiny drivers in a narrow little bar and, at best, tiny surround speakers. They attempt to expand the soundstage by aiming some of those drivers at the walls and ceiling in a poor attempt to trick you into thinking that’s where the sound is coming from. Image paying $25 to go to your local cinema and they’re using your same Sonos setup instead of this. You’d likely demand a refund.
I know your Sonos setup cost more than my original home theater setup. I also know how it sounds in comparison. Money isn’t the issue, it’s investing in the wrong solution for the intended goal of true immersion.
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u/SmilesUndSunshine Music Lover 18d ago
Movies in Atmos
TV shows in Atmos
Video games in Atmos
Music in Atmos
All at home
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u/Connect_History85 18d ago
I won it here on Reddit. There was a giveaway from TCL. The sound is now so much better.
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u/ZeroCool6991 18d ago
If you feel you never will never be satisfied then this hobby is not for you. Because it can end up in financial ruin, no different than chasing a drug that will never truly satisfy. if you aren’t satisfied yet more likely you will never be.
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u/nobody-u-heard-of 18d ago
I've got a Sonos setup on my primary TV and it sounds really good. It's the one I watch. TV shows on, movies that I don't really care about and just general entertainment. And the room next door. I have my full home theater that I watch off of. 4K blu-rays. It's a 7.1.4 system with seat shakers. And the movies are much better in there. Now the system could be a lot better, but I'm limited by the size of the room and the fact that I'm in a high-rise with neighbors.
Just for fun to test my Sonos system on the main TV. I've played some of my movies after I've watched them and I can definitely tell a difference. A lot of it is just the sound quality but also the room experience because the theater is a complete blackout room compared to the main TV which is in a room that's basically made of glass is floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides. In the theater with total darkness, I don't bring my phone in there. It's the experience. And it's better than going to the movies because there's always somebody making noise or checking their phone and all sudden you see a light out of the corner of your eye. In the theater you become more involved with with the movie, I guess it's the best way to describe it.
Now I have to admit that the Sonos Arc ultra I have is surprisingly good for a soundbar. It can actually make sounds appear to come from above and even behind me. Now it doesn't get all the sounds that are supposed to be in those places because the mostly high frequencies sounds that tend to move around better with this kind of system. But for many people it's probably more than enough.
So back to the original question why do we do it. It's because of the entire experience that you get in the home theater environment versus a normal living room soundbar kind of setup.
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u/UwontKnowME_I_HOPE 18d ago
If when you get to the movies, you cannot lose yourself in the experience.....then I don't think a home theater is going to be a worthwhile pursuit for you.
For those who do find that deep connection, a home theater offers complete control over the environment. You can dial in the perfect sound with custom acoustic treatments and get the exact brightness and contrast you prefer without any distractions.
It also means enjoying films in your own private space, on your schedule, with the best seat in the house always available.
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u/harrison23 18d ago
You might just have the wrong expectations out of a HT. It isn’t just about immersion, but comfort as well.
While you can certainly get higher quality sound and image than a theater with a proper setup, it’s the simple things that make it great.
Popcorn and drinks cheaper than the movie theatre. Pausing to go to the bathroom. Watching whatever I want, whenever I want. Filling a room with just friends and family.
Personally that is my why.
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u/5th-Elements 18d ago
For the past 25 years I haven’t had to go see a movie in a commercial theater and delighted.
No longer have to deal with overpriced tickets, poor seating conditions, sticky floors, overpriced stinky food, watered down drinks, too loud audio to the point of distortion and above all obnoxious people who are on their phones, talk during the movie and little brats that kicks your chair!
Instead, I purchase 4K BluRay movies that I can enjoy multiple times with family and friends on 150” screen, a 4K projector with fabulous audio, comfortable seats and delicious snacks.
Plus being able to pause the movie for breaks if needed is a huge advantage.
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u/seahorsesrevenge 18d ago
Have you listened to a proper home theater? Because I think that would likely answer your question. If you know someone with a nice setup give it a shot. Or, if you're happy with your setup, maybe that's all that matters.