HiRez Poll Simple Minds - NEW GOLD DREAM [Blu-ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[rtbluray]

Please post your thoughts and comments on this brand new Blu-ray Audio edition of the album "New Gold Dream" from Simple Minds.
This new Blu-ray Audio edition was available exclusively from the SDE online store and contains brand new Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround mixes from Bob Clearmountain.
This Blu-ray Audio edition also features the original 5.1 surround mix originally released in 2005.

 

[MisterMe]

I will have to listen to the whole album twice to give it a rating. But having listened to one minute of each of the first four tracks, I must say that this is a huge disappointment for me.
I had mixed feelings about the 2005 5.1 mix when it first came out because I didn't like the way Ronald Prent had treated this album. Michael MacNeil's keyboards were buried in the mix. But here, it's even worse: Bob Clearmountain has made the keyboards disappear. It's pretty obvious on the chorus of "Someone Somewhere In Summertime". Something is really missing there. It's not 100% gone, but almost.
The Atmos mix has 80% of the audio in the center channel and what happens in the other channels is quite diffuse, even if it's discrete at times. Jim Kerr's vocals are mixed on top of everything else. And even if it's quite pleasing to be able to hear disctinctly each word he sings, it's too detached from the rest.
I was expecting a lot from this release and, again, I will have to dive into it to evaluate the Atmos experience for what it really is. But right now, I feel more than underwhelmed.

 

[key_wiz]

I will have to listen to the whole album twice to give it a rating. But having listened to one minute of each of the first four tracks, I must say that this is a huge disappointment for me.
I had mixed feelings about the 2005 5.1 mix when it first came out because I didn't like the way Ronald Prent had treated this album. Michael MacNeil's keyboards were buried in the mix. But here, it's even worse: Bob Clearmountain has made the keyboards disappear. It's pretty obvious on the chorus of "Someone Somewhere In Summertime". Something is really missing there. It's not 100% gone, but almost.
The Atmos mix has 80% of the audio in the center channel and what happens in the other channels is quite diffuse, even if it's discrete at times. Jim Kerr's vocals are mixed on top of everything else. And even if it's quite pleasing to be able to hear disctinctly each word he sings, it's too detached from the rest.
I was expecting a lot from this release and, again, I will have to dive into it to evaluate the Atmos experience for what it really is. But right now, I feel more than underwhelmed.

Yep. Both mixes pretty much suck. (I listen to the Atmos on 5.1)

The rears are mostly just reflective, for lack of a better term. Nothing really discreet going on there. The center in the Atmos mix is lead vocal, bass and drums on most tracks. On the 5.1 it's more just vocals. It's not a bad listen, especially when cranked up, but it's not what I'd expect for an album like this.

I'll give it a "7" and that's being generous. Mostly for the content. I'll give a listen and crank it up on my "big" system upstairs maybe tomorrow and see if it sounds any different there.

 

[MisterMe]

Here is an interesting read:
An online review that compares almost all digital formats available
I agree with the conclusion about the Dolby Atmos listening experience.

It's odd, because everywhere I've been looking, most people seems to enjoy this Atmos mix (SDE community, Simple Minds followers on Facebook, Discogs community). I guess we are a little too demanding here...

 

[sjcorne]

The rears are mostly just reflective, for lack of a better term. Nothing really discreet going on there.

Hmm. I can't really speak to how faithful this new mix is the original stereo version, but in Atmos I definitely get the sensation of distinct instruments placed all around me. In the first track, the electric rhythm guitar is totally isolated in the left side speaker. "Promised You A Miracle" has discrete keys in the sides and handclaps in the back. "Big Sleep" goes back to keys in front, guitars in sides. The height channels seem to be mostly ambience/delays, but there's a lot of seperation between the ground-level speakers.

 

[marpow]

Here is an interesting read:
An online review that compares almost all digital formats available
I agree with the conclusion about the Dolby Atmos listening experience.

It's odd, because everywhere I've been looking, most people seems to enjoy this Atmos mix (SDE community, Simple Minds followers on Facebook, Discogs community). I guess we are a little too demanding here...

Wow, just plain wow. Disclaimer, I do not have the knowledge to say whether or not the author-Jeff- Magic/Vinyl/Digital is accurate in his experience and findings, but the presentation and delivery is the best I have ever seen, and I have read a lot.
He obviously takes great pride in producing his findings of recorded music.
I have bookmarked his website and want to read some more.
Thank you for showing us, this new to me, website.

 

[key_wiz]

Hmm. I can't really speak to how faithful this new mix is the original stereo version, but in Atmos I definitely get the sensation of distinct instruments placed all around me. In the first track, the electric rhythm guitar is totally isolated in the left side speaker. "Promised You A Miracle" has discrete keys in the sides and handclaps in the back. "Big Sleep" goes back to keys in front, guitars in sides. The height channels seem to be mostly ambience/delays, but there's a lot of seperation between the ground-level speakers.

i will give it another spin on another system and see if something else is the cause for my not hearing much.