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What channels are heard in a comercial theater??

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When I went to see The Dark Knight at the IMAX theater, the sound system was the best I've ever heard by far. An incredibly imersive experience. Overhead, I counted six speakers along each side wall and six speakers across the back wall...of course the center channel was behind the screen.

With 10 rows of seats from front to back, what channels are those speakers along the side walls playing? Someone mentioned to me that the Dark Knight at the IMAX was playing only 5 channels. Is it concievable that from the front row to the back row that the speakers along the side walls are all playing information from the front channels only? The seating diagram for most home theater setups are primarily designed around the guy sitting in the sweet spot with only 5 speakers in the layout(not counting sub).

I'm just curious how comercial theaters parcel out what info goes to those side speakers. The IMAX experience was so immersive that I couldn't pinpoint what info was coming from where. I went to see the movie three times just to check out the sound system.

I viewed The Dark Knight a couple of nights ago in Blu Ray...it was very well done. I didn't bother to watch the whole movie...I was just curious as to how my system would sound on the ear-candy scenes. It is outstanding in Dolby True HD.
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Showing 1 response by iplaynaked

iplaynaked
193 posts
 
I'm not sure. It's either as other said, all the side channels playing at same time on sides, and/or matrix'd rears in a 6.1 track. Or, it could be some matrix of fronts spread to sides, but doubt it. I'd have to look into it, and any differences in IMAX vs. standard. My presumption is that the Steuspeed's position is mostly right. However, in the IMAX that I've been to, all the channels where "active" full range channels, with separate LFE, I believe. Could have been crossed over to 80hz from all channels, but not sure. Lol! I guess it could be anything really. I'm just presuming.
Yep, I will look into it, cause I want to know myself.
Perhaps with a few calls and some footwork, someone here can get to the bottom of the matter, and know exactly what's being steered where and processed how in these systems. I'm out of the loop myself, presently.
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