Lossless Audio...Is it Worth it? - Blu-ray Forum

Tekrad · 12-22-2008, 12:59 PM

I made the mistake in buying the Panasonic BD30 that decodes but doesn't reproduce lossless audio.I have an older amp that doesn't reproduce lossless audio either.In all honesty,is it really such a noticeable audio improvement over a really good DD or DTS movie sountrack?
Tekrad

RazorFromHRSnet · 12-22-2008, 01:28 PM

I depends on how good the audio master being encoded losslessly is, how good the DD/DTS encode was done, and the quality of your equipment. Chances are if you have a system that cost even $2k or so, speakers and amp, you might not hear much of a difference. You will probably hear some increased presence in the sound, more bass posssibly. If you've already go the TV of your dreams, I'd recomment a new recceiver next, followed by upgrading the front speakers, then rear.

aramis109 · 12-22-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazorFromHRSnet

I depends on how good the audio master being encoded losslessly is, how good the DD/DTS encode was done, and the quality of your equipment. Chances are if you have a system that cost even $2k or so, speakers and amp, you might not hear much of a difference. You will probably hear some increased presence in the sound, more bass posssibly. If you've already go the TV of your dreams, I'd recomment a new recceiver next, followed by upgrading the front speakers, then rear.

I disagree. While I will agree that its dependent on your equipment, I spent far less than $2k and feel that I get a lot of benefit from lossless audio. I do agree with the rest of your statements though.

I don't know that I'd call it "worlds better" but it IS definitely an improvement. There's more of a dynamic range like at the theater, combined with a fuller sound. You also get more subtleties in the audio that sometimes aren't there in lossy codecs. Overall I definitely recommend it if you're thinking about it.

Infrared Sight · 12-22-2008, 04:35 PM

Lossless is definitely an improvement over lossy. Even though I don't have great speakers(I bought them in a htib), after I got my Onkyo 605, there was an awesome improvement in sound quality. When I upgrade my speakers to 'real' ones, I expect it to be even better.

SDon1969 · 12-22-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infrared Sight

Lossless is definitely an improvement over lossy. Even though I don't have great speakers(I bought them in a htib), after I got my Onkyo 605, there was an awesome improvement in sound quality. When I upgrade my speakers to 'real' ones, I expect it to be even better.

Agreed, I upgraded from a HTiB to the 605 as well, and don't regret it.

phantompwr · 12-22-2008, 04:48 PM

Definitely worth it. I don't think CD quality is enough, and regular Dolby Digital and DTS are compressed to use less room for 5.1 channels than that!
The biggest difference comes from the bits per sample though. I could live without 96kHz or 192kHz sampling rates, but I want 24bit depth!

popcornninja · 01-01-2009, 01:10 AM

Let me start by saying I'm no expert, but there is a lot of talk about the picture upgrade of Blu-Ray which is well deserved but after get my Onkyo 605 and adding 2 more speakers (so I could access 6.1 and 7.1 tracks) it has been a whole new world.

I used to go to the movies about every weekend......now my home theater room is where I spend most my time not just for the picture but for the killer sound of a lossless track.

Canada · 01-01-2009, 02:45 AM

Hell yes

tuco87 · 01-01-2009, 02:51 AM

YES!!!! It's definitely worth it. I may not have the most expensive system, but I can definitely tell the difference between lossy and uncompressed/lossless tracks. It's not jarring, but the difference is there. There is more dynamic range and everything sounds much clearer and crisp. My favorite example of this is Ratatouille! I absolutely love the 5.1 PCM soundtrack on that film. It's not aggressive, but the atmosphere and subtleties are amazing. I could go on and on about it. So, yes, it's definitely worth it!

Siri · 01-01-2009, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco87

YES!!!! It's definitely worth it.

I agree!

lghaze42 · 01-01-2009, 03:38 AM

Very much so.I was happy with my sound before ,but lossless is amazing.Especially the DTS MA 7.1 titles.Hellboy 2 was totally awesome.

GGX · 01-01-2009, 11:03 AM

This is what we call a landslide.

Jock Blu · 01-01-2009, 12:47 PM

I think lossless is just about as significant as 1080p in improving the HT experience when compared to lossy audio / SD video.

Joe

PS3+HDDVD OWNER · 01-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Try it for yourself.

Watch Band of Brothers BD with standard sound from your tv speakers..

Then watch the same show with DTS-HD MA..

Then tell me what you think

Beta Man · 01-02-2009, 02:20 PM

I voted "No" but I'm not speaking for myself, I'm speaking for "Most" casual movie-goers, Dolby Digital etc. is more than enough... afterall, MOST just use t.v. speakers

If you're like me though, "yes" Lossless is the bee's knees

aramis109 · 01-02-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I voted "No" but I'm not speaking for myself, I'm speaking for "Most" casual movie-goers, Dolby Digital etc. is more than enough... afterall, MOST just use t.v. speakers

If you're like me though, "yes" Lossless is the bee's knees

You contributed to 50% of the "no" responses, damn you!

Beta Man · 01-02-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis109

You contributed to 50% of the "no" responses, damn you!

I just think, that in the context of the question, "no" is appropriate..... "Perfect Picture/Perfect Sound" isn't necessary for most people.

aramis109 · 01-02-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I just think, that in the context of the question, "no" is appropriate..... "Perfect Picture/Perfect Sound" isn't necessary for most people.

Quote:

Is Lossless Audio worth Buying a new AMP?
Yes,it's a whole new world
No,it's just a little better than DD or DTS

Many of us thought it was worth buying a new amp- I did! Anyway, I see where you're coming from and am just yanking your chain anyway.

DetroitSportsFan · 01-02-2009, 03:39 PM

It's definitely worth it.

vmaxkevin · 01-11-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I just think, that in the context of the question, "no" is appropriate..... "Perfect Picture/Perfect Sound" isn't necessary for most people.

Unfortunately you are correct. I know some people that struggle to hear the difference in audio quality between AM and FM broadcasts. These same people will ask you if you are hard of hearing when they walk in on you watching a movie, and you've got the volume turned up.

View Poll Results: Is Lossless Audio worth Buying a new AMP?
Yes,it's a whole new world	74	89.16%
No,it's just a little better than DD or DTS	9	10.84%
Voters: 83. You may not vote on this poll

12-22-2008, 12:59 PM	#1
Tekrad Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Fort Lauderdale Blu-ray reviews: 8	Lossless Audio...Is it Worth it? I made the mistake in buying the Panasonic BD30 that decodes but doesn't reproduce lossless audio.I have an older amp that doesn't reproduce lossless audio either.In all honesty,is it really such a noticeable audio improvement over a really good DD or DTS movie sountrack? Tekrad

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12-22-2008, 01:28 PM	#2
RazorFromHRSnet Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Blu-ray collection:89 Blu-ray reviews:1	I depends on how good the audio master being encoded losslessly is, how good the DD/DTS encode was done, and the quality of your equipment. Chances are if you have a system that cost even $2k or so, speakers and amp, you might not hear much of a difference. You will probably hear some increased presence in the sound, more bass posssibly. If you've already go the TV of your dreams, I'd recomment a new recceiver next, followed by upgrading the front speakers, then rear.

12-22-2008, 04:35 PM	#4
Infrared Sight Expert Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Southern Utah Home Theater Gallery:65 4K collection:26 Blu-ray collection:630 Trading Score:38	Lossless is definitely an improvement over lossy. Even though I don't have great speakers(I bought them in a htib), after I got my Onkyo 605, there was an awesome improvement in sound quality. When I upgrade my speakers to 'real' ones, I expect it to be even better.

12-22-2008, 04:48 PM	#6
phantompwr Active Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Cape Cod, MA Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:63	Definitely worth it. I don't think CD quality is enough, and regular Dolby Digital and DTS are compressed to use less room for 5.1 channels than that! The biggest difference comes from the bits per sample though. I could live without 96kHz or 192kHz sampling rates, but I want 24bit depth!

01-01-2009, 01:10 AM	#7
popcornninja Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Boise Home Theater Gallery:52 Blu-ray collection:507 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:272	Let me start by saying I'm no expert, but there is a lot of talk about the picture upgrade of Blu-Ray which is well deserved but after get my Onkyo 605 and adding 2 more speakers (so I could access 6.1 and 7.1 tracks) it has been a whole new world. I used to go to the movies about every weekend......now my home theater room is where I spend most my time not just for the picture but for the killer sound of a lossless track.

01-01-2009, 02:45 AM	#8
Canada Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Victoria, BC Home Theater Gallery:17 4K collection:305 Blu-ray collection:1201 DVD collection:37 Blu-ray reviews:42	Hell yes

01-01-2009, 02:51 AM	#9
tuco87 Senior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:California Blu-ray collection:121 Trading Score:29	YES!!!! It's definitely worth it. I may not have the most expensive system, but I can definitely tell the difference between lossy and uncompressed/lossless tracks. It's not jarring, but the difference is there. There is more dynamic range and everything sounds much clearer and crisp. My favorite example of this is Ratatouille! I absolutely love the 5.1 PCM soundtrack on that film. It's not aggressive, but the atmosphere and subtleties are amazing. I could go on and on about it. So, yes, it's definitely worth it!

01-01-2009, 03:38 AM	#11
lghaze42 Senior Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Princeton West Virginia Home Theater Gallery:23	Very much so.I was happy with my sound before ,but lossless is amazing.Especially the DTS MA 7.1 titles.Hellboy 2 was totally awesome.

01-01-2009, 11:03 AM	#12
GGX Banned Member since:Oct 2006 Location:Kentwood, Michigan Blu-ray collection:262 Trading Score:2	This is what we call a landslide.

01-01-2009, 12:47 PM	#13
Jock Blu Active Member Member since:Dec 2007 Trading Score:7	I think lossless is just about as significant as 1080p in improving the HT experience when compared to lossy audio / SD video. Joe

01-01-2009, 04:00 PM	#14
PS3+HDDVD OWNER Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Chicago Trading Score:12	Try it for yourself. Watch Band of Brothers BD with standard sound from your tv speakers.. Then watch the same show with DTS-HD MA.. Then tell me what you think

01-02-2009, 02:20 PM	#15
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I voted "No" but I'm not speaking for myself, I'm speaking for "Most" casual movie-goers, Dolby Digital etc. is more than enough... afterall, MOST just use t.v. speakers If you're like me though, "yes" Lossless is the bee's knees

01-02-2009, 03:39 PM	#19
DetroitSportsFan Hot Deals Moderator Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Michigan 4K collection:439 Blu-ray collection:2226 Trading Score:93	It's definitely worth it.

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