Rating: R

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Hannibal (R)

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Hannibal (R)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 (00:02 - 04:20), (00:35 - 03:04), (08:27 - 10:30)

This truly reinforces why it is the sound that truly rounds an experience! The 3 scenes listed in this thrilling episode will send not only shivers but cause goosebumps. Especially with quality surround speakers, you will be able to feel and hear, the level of detail in the distant dog howls and the cello’s timbre as the bow goes across the strings of the cello. Slight eerie atmospheric sounds are constantly introduced without you noticing and even when they move so ever swiftly – from the sides to your center channels, it does not muddle or challenge the dialogue. Every heart-racing moment is followed up with temporary silence for you to feel the goosebumps and soak in the suspense. Warning: For thrill-seekers only!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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The Haunting of Hill House (R)

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The Haunting of Hill House (R)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 (21:40 - 22:40)

The subwoofers and surround speakers take center stage in this chilling minute. Depending on how many subwoofers you have, the reverberation from the hostile door knocks and bangs will send fill your entire living room and send chills from below to your spine. The scene then breaks into directional and rhythmic pounding pounds on the windows that will most definitely have you jumping and turning to yours. Altogether, the terrifying sounds combine to command all of your subwoofers and surround speakers to create a 360-degree bubble of intense surround sound. The sudden silence that follows leaves you to hear and feel your heart pound.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Hocus Pocus (PG)

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Hocus Pocus (PG)

Let the amock by the Sandersons Sisters run free in your surround channels. A clean and simple story plot entertains with witty humor that is delivered crystal clear. Atmospheric sounds of potions bubbling and magic twinkling are texturally richer, and evidently leaves its trail in the soundscape. Gushing winds and in-air flying activities offer better encapsulation as compared to the previous. Underlying rumbles from the crackles of thunder slips itself into your room to complete the Hocus Pocus magic. You be the judge if this is a trick or treat!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Hellbound

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Hellbound

Netflix has gone all in on Korean Dramas, and like Squid Game, this series does not disappoint. As if the menacing demonic voices of these monsters weren't enough, the movie features brutal killings of people that are guilty of evildoings. Should such acts be called murder or judgement? One thing's for sure - the action on screen translates into a great workout for your subwoofers and surround speakers, as they work in harmony to deliver sounds that are eerie enough to give you sleepless nights.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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I Am Mother (R)

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I Am Mother (R)

(0:22 – 4:27), (1:13:43 - 1:22:09), (1:29:46 - 1:39:23)

A good thought-provoking sci-fi film is one that you should always turn to if you will like to enjoy a well-rounded evening. Details from the advanced machinery are well channeled through your surround speakers to introduce the cold laboratory. As you inch closer, the room dynamics changes. You witness the warm portrayal of life’s creation. With most action taking place in the front array, it not only tests the ability of the drivers to handle the demanding frequency change but, challenges your ears to pick up every nuance of ambient notes that are stunningly clear if you have superb discrete surround speakers. Oversized drones above your head and roars of winds that surround you are accurately in-sync with the on-screen to take your breath away. Echoes of footsteps are noticeably clear and its eerieness is enhanced with blinking lights sound effect and suspense music to round you back to the same cold start of the film.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Illang: The Wolf Brigade (R)

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Illang: The Wolf Brigade (R)

10:12 - 12:00

The best way to explain to someone why owning a surround sound system is essential, is to play this scene. We love how the director has intended for the listener to feel the action through a wide use of weaponry with varying degrees of vibration. Overhead aircraft sounds are accompanied by constant deep bass effects that will cause your subwoofer(s) to reverberate and shake the walls of your room. What really will impress, is that you will be able to feel the clanks of the pistol bullet shells hitting against the metal shields. Launched grenades might make your eyes move along with the projected sound. The hum from the drone above will make you feel like you are in the center of the action. PS. The police sirens and horn blares are from the movie and not down your street.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Mad Max: Fury Road (R)

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Mad Max: Fury Road (R)

OPENING SCENE

The award-winning, industry-famous Mad Max: Fury Road movie is one of the best movies to demo sound systems. In fact, the whole film is good for demo. The opening credits and the first scene make for a great surround demo scene. You can hear the little girl's voice from all the surround speakers for an immersive experience. Every single detail in the scene, including chewing of the lizards and engine revving can be heard with our exclusive 2-way surround speakers with high-performance drivers. Not to mention, you can hear and feel tons of deep rumbling bass throughout the movie with the soundtracks.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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The Matrix (R)

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The Matrix (R)

Some would call this the OG of surround sound movies: The Matrix franchise has a great number of scenes that make use of your surround sound setup. A classic to look out for are the martial arts simulations: It’s clean, well-mixed sound effects will showcase how well your surround speakers can reproduce the motion of sound and “travel” from one surround speaker to the next, virtually transporting you into the action. In fact, the franchise never ceases to WOW with the number of details heard even if we are watching Neo’s signature bullet-time move gesture for the “n”th time. A warning from us, the explosions that happen seem to be deliberately planned to show off the power and impact of your subwoofer(s), shaking the picture frames on your wall if you have a good subwoofer (or two!). It is a definite Shockwafe reference classic in our movie library and it should be in yours too.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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In the Heart of the Sea (PG-13)

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In the Heart of the Sea (PG-13)

This truly reinforces why surround speakers will make any film come alive. Every subtlety of surround detail flows through your speakers steadily to create a multi-dimensional mix of sounds to fuel your emotions. Sequences with rain are realistically produced overhead and create an energizing harmony with the crashing waves and pounding winds that rushes to fill your sweetspot from your subwoofer(s). The cries of desperation on deck will bring about many head-turning actions because of how splendidly and meticulously each and every one of them is layered upon. Gurgles from the sea will pressure your surround bubble to create an almost life-like experience of being thrown off deck that will could leave gasping for air from your couch.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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In the Tall Grass (TV-MA)

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In the Tall Grass (TV-MA)

(00:19:50 - 00:20:40), (01:24:00 - 01:25:14)

Feel the chills go down your spine with the eerie background music that accompanies the sibling pair as they enter a field of tall grass. Inaudible whispers will surround your listening seat and add the right amount of tension to the movie scene. With horrible screams, deadly fistfights, and the rustling sound from the tall grass field emanating through your surround speakers, prepare to have your living room transformed into the dark environment that truly makes this a nail-biting experience that horror movie fans will enjoy and perhaps, be creeped out by.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Inglorious Basterds (R)

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Inglorious Basterds (R)

1:32:08 - 1:37:01

Carrying the name of Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece, the scene does not disappoint. This classic chaotic shootout contains layers of exhilarating sound effects that will challenge your center and surround speakers to reproduce convincing and distortion-free surround sound effects. The sound in certain scenes are so realistic, you just might find your head-turning towards key gun fires that are subtlety highlighted in the midst of the exchange. The deliberate absence of background music emphasizes the agitated breath patterns of the character, further immersing you in the action. Your surround speakers will sandwich you in the middle of the negotiation between Lt. Aldo and Staff Sgt. Wilhelm. Just when you feel that the intense experience is coming to an end, Tarantino springs you another one of his signatures, with the impact being recreated in your living room through your speakers.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Moonlight (R)

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Moonlight (R)

17:38 - 21:21

A simple scene is sometimes the best to listen out for the most subtle surround sound details. With no additional bells and whistles, this scene perfectly captures what it is like to be on the beach with waves crashing on to the shore in the background. The isolation of the water sounds that tread thread so carefully through the surround speakers will make you feel like you’re Little in the middle of a vast sea. If you close your eyes at the later part, you will really feel like you are at the beach with the sounds of all the gentle wind breeze and crashing waves produced by your surround speakers!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Iron Man III (PG-13)

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Iron Man III (PG-13)

This movie announces its arrival unabashedly in true Tony Stark style. Sound effects purposefully dominate each channel to unveil its full glory of hitting peaks in challenging scenes. An array of frequency ranges move from one to the next instinctually to actively engage you into the excitement while you are in Iron Man’s basement. Mid-air activity sets out to pressurize your room in tight correlation with the on-screen activity. Sense of space as well as directionality are not shy to occupy your soundfield. The final scene will persistently demand 100% from your subwoofer(s) with multiple full impact explosions that demand its fullest output potential.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (R)

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Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (R)

Much like the console game, this promises endless savage carnage that will awaken all your surround channels. The movie focuses on creating ultra violent fights in the arena that showcases a spectrum of sound directionality that moves unhesitatingly from one speaker to the next. Highs are tuned to effectively complement the mids for a flawless transition of every familiar combo move. Fatality moves are driven to snatch your focus by the ear and low frequencies are timed precisely to induce goosebumps to recreate the same exact euphoria you feel when you finish the game with Flawless Victory.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Mudbound (R)

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Mudbound (R)

00:30 - 04:30

It is the little things that matter in this period movie adaptation from Hillary Jordan’s debut novel. Right from the beginning, your surround system is challenged to recreate the amazing cinematography you see on-screen. Especially with discrete surround speakers, you will hear how every tiny nuance is beautifully brought to life. Claps of thunder overhead will challenge your subwoofer(s) to reproduce the rumbles in the midst of the pouring rain. Ambient chatters seamlessly move through the speaker drivers to bring forth directionality that transforms your couch to a seat at the table. Closing this is the sensual instrumental music that neither distorts at high volume nor hogs the soundstage from the intricate sound layers.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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IT (2017) (R)

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IT (2017) (R)

Bringing everyone’s clown nightmare to life, IT centers its ability to create goosebumps from under your skin through meticulous mapping of atmospheric sounds. This movie proves that sticking to horror sound classics - such as the rain’s light patter from above and ghostly echoes wrapping you from your surround speakers, will never fail to keep you at the edge of your seat. Its superb use of sound tension to terrorize you from your mind, immerses you deeply before jump scares pound through your subwoofer(s), sending chills right down your spine.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Narcos: Mexico (TV-MA)

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Narcos: Mexico (TV-MA)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 (01:53 - 07:00)

If a sense of surround spaciousness is what you crave, this is for you. From lighting your front channels with dialog over the phone to ATVs revving from the back of you to the side, every surround effect seamlessly blends to build a detailed soundstage. Traveling from one speaker to the next, you’ll notice how realistic the whirling sound of the helicopter is, as it slowly takes its position from behind to above you. Even with rifles firing loudly from all of your surround speakers, you’ll still be able to hear distant ambient panic-stricken yells and hurried footsteps clearly. An ATV then steals the spotlight from the rustling sounds in the marijuana field, before zooming past to behind

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐


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Jaws (PG)

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Jaws (PG)

The summer movie sensation of 1975 gets a makeover. Results: An evolution of soundtrack that will immerse you deeper into this horror/thriller classic. Boy, are we glad that this makeover only enhances the essence of the original instead of adding unnecessary guns to the already perfect sound score. With your surround speakers dutifully carrying out the intricacies of the added subtle effects to put you right in the danger zone. The interesting use of overhead channels to sink you underwater is definitely uncommon and one of our favorites. No need for a punch in the chest to feel every explosion and destruction that spreads evenly from your subwoofer(s).

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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John Wick (R)

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John Wick (R)

With every installment serving up more aggressive sonic assault to your surround system, John Wick will definitely delight if deep chest-thumping bass is what you are into. The series is solely driven by assassin-like action so do expect to hear the sounds from a variety of bullets to whizz pass you through your surround channels. In line with the movie series’ energy, the soundtrack electrifies and supplements even more impact to your chest with the punchy, yet precise explosive action.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Joker (R)

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Joker (R)

Intense and dark, this origin story adaptation of DC’s notorious cold-blooded maniac will most definitely have your heart racing and hand gripping into the couch out. Toying with the idea of imprinting a surreal Gotham City through the channels of your surround system, this movie centers its shuddering experience through the use of everyday sounds that we hear. Not only will you literally experience the noise and voice in Arthur Fleck’s head, but you will also have a taste of his vulnerability. No need for jump scares for a bone-chilling ride. The score that accompanies this film, together with its gritty visual is enough to make you lose your sleep at night. It is definitely anything but a joke.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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