The BEST Audio Quality Blu-ray Megathread

[andy0510]

I always thought Bourne Ultimatum had the best AQ. Dialogues are crystal clear and the low ends aren't too much that it would be distracting.

[Underworld54]

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

Why do people keep calling The Dark Knight Rises the best AQ of 2012? It's the one with the most bass but that is no way to judge the AQ. I've noticed many scenes where the bass is quite simply unkept and borderline boomy. In some of the scenes, the dialogue is mixed way too low and can hardly be heard over the music. The surrounds kick in during the action sequences but atmospherics during non-action scenes are barely existent. The first appearance of The Bat is noteworthy where the bass is like a wave that swoops over you. But the sound design is nothing compared to that of Prometheus or The Amazing Spider-Man.
It's good and I would rate it as 4 out of 5 but it's nowhere as good as the above two movies which IMO are the best sounding Blu-rays of 2012.

I agree, the soundtrack is a mess. I guess for the Nolanites everything he touches is a 5/5.

[BozQ]

I agree. I love Christopher Nolan's Batman films. But I just cannot agree with the 5 star audio rating.

While it's certainly not the worst soundtrack around, the overloaded LFE is distracting. Twice now, with TDK and TDKR, I had so much problems trying to understand some of the characters dialogue because the bass is so heavy. And I'm not referring to Christian Bale's scruffy voice as Batman. These are among the few BDs where I've had to turn on the subtitles because of this issue.

[davcole]

Originally Posted by BozQ

I agree. I love Christopher Nolan's Batman films. But I just cannot agree with the 5 star audio rating.

While it's certainly not the worst soundtrack around, the overloaded LFE is distracting. Twice now, with TDK and TDKR, I had so much problems trying to understand some of the characters dialogue because the bass is so heavy. And I'm not referring to Christian Bale's scruffy voice as Batman. These are among the few BDs where I've had to turn on the subtitles because of this issue.

In think the key is the overloaded LFE. It just keeps the other elements masked.

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[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by Underworld54

I agree, the soundtrack is a mess. I guess for the Nolanites everything he touches is a 5/5.

6/6, sir.

Direct any inquiries to Spinal Tap, referencing "11".

[Extremis]

Why is TDKR soundtrack a mess?

[Underworld54]

Originally Posted by ryan4butler

Why is TDKR soundtrack a mess?

Overcooked bass and extremely low dialogue for every character except Bane which was just too loud.

[Extremis]

Originally Posted by Underworld54

Overcooked bass and extremely low dialogue for every character except Bane which was just too loud.

I personally wouldn't call that soundtrack, but simply audio issues. I think it was the same in the theater anyway.

[Underworld54]

Originally Posted by ryan4butler

I personally wouldn't call that soundtrack, but simply audio issues. I think it was the same in the theater anyway.

Regardless it's not 5/5.

[davcole]

Originally Posted by andy0510

I always thought Bourne Ultimatum had the best AQ. Dialogues are crystal clear and the low ends aren't too much that it would be distracting.

Definitely one of the best! The ambience is perfect! The dialog/music mix is perfect, and the LFE is appropriate for the scene!

It really is perfect! One of the few titles I still have on HD-DVD and BD and both are perfect!

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[BluProofie]

The TDKR problems are all due to the film's rushed audio mix, not the fault of the transfer. It sounded just like that in theaters. I still thought TDKR's DTS-HD MA track was pretty incredible for what it was, though.

That said, I enjoy Nolan's films but, think they are very overrated.

[mrpink134]

Originally Posted by Underworld54

I agree, the soundtrack is a mess. I guess for the Nolanites everything he touches is a 5/5.

Originally Posted by Underworld54

Overcooked bass and extremely low dialogue for every character except Bane which was just too loud.

Really? I guess you know more than the reviewers?
Ralf Potts

I don’t mean to keep making references to The Dark Knight but this lossless DTS-HD MA soundtrack like that one on Blu-ray is demonstration quality and sure to please those who like to play their systems loud. This recording has wide dynamic range and boasts superlative clarity and high level detail that is truly impressive. Dialogue is definitive and appreciably lucid through the center channel as it reaches far into the room. It’s located just slightly in front of the left/right speakers within the acoustic space it occupies in the soundfield. I never had any trouble distinguishing even the slightest changes in the pitch or inflection of voices. Front channel separation and imaging is excellent. This drew out both large and small sound elements and allowed their directional correlation based upon the onscreen events to be definable.

The mix makes effective and often aggressive use of the surround channels to elongate the front soundstage and reproduce the spatial and discrete sounds of this demanding soundtrack. The listening position is submerged into a 360 degree web of sound that is sometimes riveting as it bombards the senses with a combination of well placed sound effects and musical accompaniment. This is a dynamically enhanced sound mix that utilizes low frequency effects to provide viscerally potent impact. Bass response is prodigious as it occasionally reaches seismic levels that will test the limits of lesser subwoofers. I enjoyed the opening sequence involving the plane takeover/transference but the shootout that occurs just after Selina’s meeting with Stryver was the first to make the hairs on my arm standup. I am the first to admit that I love deep, clean, powerful bass and this track delivers it in spades. The first appearance of The Bat as it emerges from the dark alley and flies overhead sounds awesome. This is an engaging and thoroughly rewarding surround sound experience that enthusiasts and novices alike are sure to enjoy. Looking at this audio/video presentation as a whole I would describe it as one of the year’s best. Fans that enjoyed The Dark Knight on Blu-ray can expect more of the same here.

Ken Brown

The real showpiece of The Dark Knight Rises Blu-ray, though, is its sternum-splitting, rib-cracking, ground-pounding DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. While it obviously isn't as thunderous or jaw-dropping as its IMAX counterpart, it still boasts remarkable power, prowess and presence. LFE output is downright ferocious, throwing its full weight behind every devastating explosion, firing cannon, throaty Tumbler engine, booming Bat thruster, collapsing tunnel, crashing truck and musclebound madman. The opening hijack scene is worth the cost of admission alone. The rear speakers join the fight early and often too, immersing the listener in the chaos erupting across Gotham. Pinpoint directionality delivers time and time again, cross-channel pans are exceptionally transparent, and Hans Zimmer's score is as enveloping and invigorating as it should be. Dialogue is clear, neatly grounded in the hustle and bustle of the city, and masterfully prioritized, even if the last few lines of dialogue are nearly overwhelmed by the ever-crescendoing music. There's also an argument to be made that Bane's voice occasionally hovers above the rest of the soundscape -- particularly during the opening hijack sequence, when his voice is piped into the front speakers to ensure it isn't drowned out by the roar of the plane that's being dismantled around him -- but it's an intentional decision that traces back to the film's original sound design, not the technical quality of the studio's lossless mix. Simply put, The Dark Knight Rises' DTS-HD MA track doesn't disappoint in the slightest

I guess they are both wrong

I thought the Audio was outstanding!

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by mrpink134

Really? I guess you know more than the reviewers?
Ralf Potts

Ken Brown


I guess they are both wrong

I thought the Audio was outstanding!

I have all the respect in the world for both the reviewers in question, but I think people on here are also capable of coming to their own conclusions and it is never good to let someone else do your thinking for you. Audio can be VERY subjective and just because the 2 reviewers you quoted heard the track as they did does not mean everyone will agree. I dont always agree with Ken or Ralph on their A/V opinion, but does that make them wrong and me right or the other way around? Of course not. There are so many variables between setups and what people like and look for in an audio track that it is not even worth arguing about, and there is certainly not one "right" opinion on ANY given track because of all this.

Also, if you are going to quote any given reviewer, you should make sure to spell their name right.

[Kryptonic]

The Blu-Ray sounds better and more nuanced than it did in theaters. I had no problems with the center channel/dialogue being hard to understand nor did I feel that the bass was overblown.

[timcat4843]

The entire 40 minute attack scene in Pearl Harbor is da bomb!

The uncompressed LPCM audio in that flick flat out

[LMN8R]

My favorite audio on blu-ray is a little different. Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here Blu-ray Audio is phenominal. The 5.1 mix is my favorite, very immersive. LFE in the intro to Welcome to the Machine rivals the best movies I've heard (or felt). It's what I use to demo my audio system with chin on the floor results.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by LMN8R

My favorite audio on blu-ray is a little different. Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here Blu-ray Audio is phenominal. The 5.1 mix is my favorite, very immersive. LFE in the intro to Welcome to the Machine rivals the best movies I've heard (or felt). It's what I use to demo my audio system with chin on the floor results.

I'm strongly considering the SACD of WYWH right now. It's supposed to be the same mix. $30 is much easier to swallow.

[LMN8R]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

I'm strongly considering the SACD of WYWH right now. It's supposed to be the same mix. $30 is much easier to swallow.

I picked up the blu-ray disk by itself on e-bay for $45. Was worth it to me to also get the 4.0 mix but I rarely listen to it. If the 5.1 mix on SACD is anything like the BD-A you won't regret it.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by LMN8R

I picked up the blu-ray disk by itself on e-bay for $45. Was worth it to me to also get the 4.0 mix but I rarely listen to it. If the 5.1 mix on SACD is anything like the BD-A you won't regret it.

Agreed! WYWH sounds incredible! The only SACD or blu ray audio I would put above it that I own is Dire Straights Brothers in Arms which is still I think the best sounding recording/mix I have ever heard.

[LMN8R]

Originally Posted by Todd Smith

Agreed! WYWH sounds incredible! The only SACD or blu ray audio I would put above it that I own is Dire Straights Brothers in Arms which is still I think the best sounding recording/mix I have ever heard.

I own the BIA SACD as well and agree 100%.