Aphrodite's Child 666 (Deluxe Edition with Dolby Atmos & 5.1 surround upmixes)

[Intruder461]

If the insinuation here is that the height channels in Atmos are not 'discrete' but somehow matrixed from a 7.1 source, that's patently false. There are so many Atmos mixes with unique information completely isolated in those top speakers. Take for instance the recently-released Tom Petty Long After Dark album - mute the heights, and you'll lose all the backing vocals, percussion, and most of the lead guitar parts.

I am not saying that the height channels in Atmos are not discrete; Atmos is made from a 7.1 source. I am merely pointing out that anything above that configuration is not discrete and is matrixed or simulated via Metadata. To put it in a nutshell, what is the point of buying a Receiver that has 9.1, 11.1, 14.1 or anything higher when it is only utilising a 7.1 source to create it?

 

[Degrundt]

To put it in a nutshell, what is the point of buying a Receiver that has 9.1, 11.1, 14.1 or anything higher when it is only utilising a 7.1 source to create it?

I don't understand what you are trying to explain.

If you are interested in experience Dolby Atmos, how many speaker do you need (or want) to feed ? Only this question can determine the receiver model you are going to choose. If you consider that a 7.1 receiver is ok for your using, so be it.

According to Wikipedia : Dolby Atmos home theaters can be built upon conventional 5.1 and 7.1 layouts. For Dolby Atmos, the nomenclature differs slightly by an additional number at the end, that represents the number of overhead or Dolby Atmos enabled speakers: a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos system is a conventional 7.1 layout with four overhead or Dolby Atmos enabled speakers.[20][21] The simplest Dolby Atmos setup is 3.1.2,[22] the most complex one is 24.1.10.

 

[IMachine]

Topic?

 

[mandrix]

I think my copy is coming today. We'll see if it was worth it.

 

[Degrundt]

You're right, let's go back to the topic...

Just unwrapped it right now.
Nice packaging but weird...The CD's gatefold cardboxes are just replicating the same drawing...Makes me feel like a "fake" Deluxe product....
I'm listening right now the #1 CD and the remastering is nice but low frequencies are overblown to my ears...Some tracks seem too "heavy" (muddy?) when drums and bass are unleashed.

I will let you know about the "Atmos thing"...

 

[mandrix]

Topic?

But, but, there's something wrong on the internet. lol.

 

[Sthunderrocker]

Again. Atmos is not necessarily made from a 7.1 source. A good mixer May literally build an Atmos mix from every single discrete track that was recorded on the album if they put the time and effort into it.

 

[GOS]

I think my copy is coming today. We'll see if it was worth it.

USPS shows mine delivered on my front steps. Only, I'm in Indianapolis for 2 days of conferences. lol

 

[jefe1]

The price was right for this package. Waiting for my copy. Just hoping for a good stereo version that can be synthesized into surround.

 

[Degrundt]

The price was right for this package. Waiting for my copy. Just hoping for a good stereo version that can be synthesized into surround.

Stereo version is really good, very dynamic and with a large sound image. Just too much bass IMO. Listening to the Atmos track right now (i'm not yet equiped with heights speakers) and i can confirm that this (Up)mix is a nice bonus but certainly not the main attraction of this box. We're very far from a Crimson remix by SW...

 

[jefe1]

Thanks for the assessment @Degrundt

 

[srbjab]

Again. Atmos is not necessarily made from a 7.1 source. A good mixer May literally build an Atmos mix from every single discrete track that was recorded on the album if they put the time and effort into it.

From what I've read and heard online, that is correct. Atmos mixes can be built from objects or from channel beds (and possibly from a mix of both) - they are not built exclusively from 7.1 channel beds. I've heard it explained this way: the Atmos renderer treats sounds from a bed as coming from an inherently fixed position (matching the speaker placement in 5.1 or 7.1) while sounds in an object have no inherent fixed position. While both object and bed based sounds can be panned and moved in 3-d space, apparently the Atmos renderer handles object based sounds more convincingly, especially binaurally, i.e. in headphones or earbuds, than bed based sounds. One mixer said if they want to keep a sound or instrument primarily in a single conventional location they would be inclined to use a bed. However, if they wanted to do significant panning, 3-d movement or place the sound/instrument in a non-conventional or overhead location they would likely use an object because it offers finer control/rendering.

In any case, the Dolby Atmos metadata is describing the location and movement of the sound - not a phantom channel. The renderer is responsible for reading that metadata and translating the sound location and movement as accurately as possible with the available set of speakers it has to work with.

 

[ogrequad]

Ok, back on topic…

Listening to the upmix, one can only imagine how incredible a true, discrete surround mix could have been. Considering the general nuttiness of the album, not to mention the tons of crazy panning in the stereo version, this could have been one for the ages!

 

[beerking]

I overcame my reluctance to stick with this release.
It arrived today.
Will give it a spin soon

 

[ogrequad]

It is not a great upmix by any stretch (nothing in the center speaker and faint echoes in the rears), but I still think the box is a very worthwhile purchase for the $30 I paid.

 

[beerking]

A few songs in and I like this release.
Yes the upmix is not very strong.
But it is coming out of the heights, fronts more than rears.
No centre speaker, use
No rears to my ears.
Sides are used.

So has my forty quid been worth it?
Overall I'd say it has.
Considering what is in the box set.

But I wouldn't pay the current asking price of £73.57
666 THE APOCALYPSE OF JOHN https://amzn.eu/d/2SZtkVR

I won't be sending this one back.
Although I'm sure better 5.1, 7.1 or even Atmos upmixes can be achieved with the available software.

I will look into those possibilities over time.

My assessment is based on listening to the Dolby Atmos mix.

 

[Thonolan]

There's a thread about this release already...

https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...-with-dolby-atmos-5-1-surround-upmixes.36526/

 

[beerking]

There's a thread about this release already...

https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...-with-dolby-atmos-5-1-surround-upmixes.36526/

Ah yes ,..all posts need transferring to that one.

 

[jefe1]

Well after a hiccup with my local post office mine arrived. I will hopefully get to it this weekend. Sounds Like I will get my $30 worth from this. Its selling for $124 on Amazon.