HiRez Poll Seal - SEAL (Second Album) [Blu-Ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[rtbluray]

Please post your thoughts and comments on this brand new 30th anniversary edition of Seal's second album.
This new 30th anniversary edition contains a brand new Dolby Atmos mix alongside the original 5.1 surround mix originally released on DVD-A/V back in 2005.

 

[key_wiz]

This is SUCH a great album. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years. Love every note.

it’s a nice package. And nice that they included the 5.1. Odd it’s not on the packaging, but maybe they just think that will confuse people?

But I have two quibbles that prevent me from giving it a “10”. I should say upfront I listen on 5.1 and, as always, listening is system-dependent. I prefer the Atmos mix in terms of surroundy-ness. Although the 5.1 is quite good. But the Atmos mix is nowhere near as punchy as the 5.1 on my system. The vocals sound muffled and the drums weak. Maybe it’s just my system or an artifact of folding down to 5.1 but….that’s what I have.

Plus, I’m disappointed that at least the previously-released bonus tracks aren’t in surround. Especially the Hendrix covers and “Fly Like An Eagle”.

Not to mention I already have the 5.1 from the earlier release. So I have to give it a “9”.

But damn….what an album. Takes me back.

 

[SomethingAnything]

I am surprised at the little review attention this is getting here. Are people perhaps only still receiving their copies?
Anyway, I have atmos (5.1.4), and doing a changeover comparison between atmos and 5.1 on the first song (Bring It On) I agree, the 5.1 bass does feel tougher on the 5.1. The atmos is still great though. I didn't notice a difference so much with Kiss from a Rose. There also seemed to be different treatment for the vocals, and I preferred the atmos (it felt as if there's more separation in the harmonies, perhaps a treatment more possible with atmos?).

The album sounds lovely (and classy) throughout and is of the immersive/atmospheric school of approach with discrete moments now and then, such as in Dreaming in Metaphors. It's not an album I know at all, apart from the single, and I want to hold off rating it until I've had time to properly enjoy both the music and the mix. I feel I will probably land on a nine.

 

[4-earredwonder]

Absolute RAVE review from blu~ray.com:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Seal-Seal-II-Blu-ray/362233/#Review

 

[Marplot]

I finally got a chance to spin it but when I came looking for the poll only found the older release.
Anyway, I listened stereo and 7.1.4 and as mentioned above, lovely is a great term to describe it. The vocals enveloped me as I had hoped and I was able to just immerse myself in the music and enjoy it.
I'll have to run it through the math before I rate it but sounds great, packaging was simple and very affordable so if it doesn't pull a 9 I'll be surprised.

 

[SomethingAnything]

Absolute RAVE review from blu~ray.com:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Seal-Seal-II-Blu-ray/362233/#Review

Thank you for sharing this well-written and thoughtful review. I agree with all of it.

This is a sumptuous, plush album that feels perfect for the Atmos 3D canvas. Every song satisfies. A resounding 10.

Play it loud when home alone.

 

[CINERAMAX]

Not sure if i was torturing the harpies next door or not, but this is a 10! A topsmmersive display oF pirouettes just like Piti likes it.

 

[ar surround]

No bones about it, this is a great album. It has excellent content, performances, fidelity and mixes. I really love the Atmos mix except for one song: Kiss From A Rose.

I immediately went to Kiss From A Rose in Atmos and was underwhelmed compared to the 5.1 mix. That song was mixed into Atmos by Tim Weidner, and is mixed more conservatively than the balance of the album which was mixed by Alex McArthur. It's still good, but sounds somewhat out of place in comparison.

But it is worth every penny for the other nine Atmos songs which are spectacular with voices coming from above at times, yet always tastefully done.

A 9...It would be a 10 if KFAR had gotten the same Atmos treatment as the other songs.

[Edit: Listening right now to KFAR in stereo upmixed to 7.1.4 using NeuralX and Dolby Surround. It sounds better than the Atmos.]

 

[bktouchstone]

This is a 9.5 rounded up. Great album and mix, just my way of saying while not perfect, it’s top notch, and in any case you have to round up. It’s math. There is some sibilance here and there, vocals are centered mostly with lush backgrounds in the rears and, I think, heights. Absolutely love “Dreaming in Metaphors,” a real highlight. I didn’t a/b vs the Seals Best 5.1 which I recall is also fantastic.

 

[beerking]

Alex McArthur has produced a very good Atmos mix on this release.
Although Tim Weidner did the Atmos mix for the track 'Kiss from a Rose'

I would say, on balance, that this album has a better Atmos mix than Seals first album mixed in Atmos by Trevor Horn.

It's not so front centric and the fidelity is sharper.

A totally delightful 10

Notes on this release by SDE...
https://www.thesdeshop.com/products...=The Atmos Mix engineer is,5.1 Mix of Seal II.

 

[svtmike]

Listened a few times in my car to the Atmos mix ripped to 7.1. Very immersive. Everything is well balanced and the mix brings the music alive. Missing the clarity in the vocals that Seal 1991 Atmos has, I think that may be a mixing choice to spread them about instead of strongly focusing in the front center.

 

[pat bateman]

So far I'm torn comparing to the original DVD-A, but I'll make a food analogy. The DVD-A is fast food. Tastes great, incredibly satisfying at first, but it can wear on you. The Bluray Atmos is a dinner at a nice restaurant. Also tastes delicious, but more refined, but your kids might rather have McDonalds.

It all comes down to loudness. The DVD-A is *much* louder, all around. I sometimes like that the vocals are not primarily in the center channel like the DVD-A, but everything about the DVD-A is punchier. The Bluray doesn't have an LFE channel. Perhaps it could have benefited from one since the mix is dramatically quieter.

All that being said, I think I am preferring the Atmos mix since I'm a sucker for non-dynamically compressed mixes.