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Taxi Driver (1976) (R)

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Taxi Driver (1976) (R)

00:25 - 10:57

Recognized as one of the movie’s most memorable scenes, the surround sound in this opening is just as iconic. The percussion dominates before the sultry saxophone sneaks from your left and right to steal the limelight of the front surround channels. The dialog is accompanied by ambient chatters and atmospheric sounds that articulates the sonic environment of the space the character is in. The flawless transition between an echoey and busy taxi garage to the open street is one of our go-tos if you want to test for surround spaciousness. What really impresses is how artfully the background music sneaks up ever so slightly from the surround speakers to maintain the mood, and even when it isn’t playing, your ears remember them throughout.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Terminator 2: Judgement Day (R)

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Terminator 2: Judgement Day (R)

Not many sequels will live up to its predecessor, much less to say, surpass it. This is one that surpasses it. Close-shaved motorcycle chase scenes that have you on the edge on your seat, and various morphing sound effects, are just the tip of the iceberg. With Arnold Schwarzenegger fronting this, expect larger-than-life explosions that will showcase its weight as it punches straight to your chest. Endless rounds from an array of firearms will not only make sure you have your fill of bullets whizzing by you (and might have you say, Hasta la vista, baby!) but also, marvel at your surround speakers’ dynamic capabilities.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Titanic (PG-13)

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Titanic (PG-13)

Superb sound is the binding agent in films that withstand the test of time. Right from the beginning, you will feel the howling of the wind at sea taking charge. As the movie sinks in deeper, the ship’s engines will test the might of your subwoofer(s) in its ability to recreate highly pressurized frequencies to flood your sweetspot. Musical extension present in the sequences reflects the ship’s opulence. Ambient chatters and light orchestral music in the upper-class deck blend beautifully to accurately recreates the snooty atmosphere right in your living room. Life exuberates from your surround speakers when you are on the third-class deck. The crowd’s merry-making does not bleed onto other channels and you will be able to hear the small details that are present if you have physical speakers surrounding you. This ageless film is a classic example of being immersed with tactfully created sound effects.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Top Gun (PG)

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Top Gun (PG)

A definite must-watch not only because this movie helped launch Tom Cruise’s career (pun intended), but also because it hinges its whole storyline on heroic aviation action. With the restored version of this, tuned to take full advantage of the capabilities of today’s sound technologies, you are definitely going to feel and hear the MiG-28s fighter jets soar and roar above you. Spoiler Alert: "Danger Zone" withstands the test of time and will certainly have you moving your tushies, as the jets take-offs from the runway.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Transformers: Dark of the Moon (PG-13)

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Transformers: Dark of the Moon (PG-13)

Proving once again that oversized robots are exemplary in displaying a variety of surround effects, Dark of The Mood, is both a treat to the eyes and ears. Clarity in dialogues is perhaps best shown when Bumblebee speaks. The varying change of frequencies in pitch and tone from the numerous radio channels never fails to surprise us. Every effect - from the overhead aircraft to the robot bugs crawling, takes its rightful channel positions to fully absorb you into the action. The epic fight between the Autobots and Decepticons will utilize every audio channel available to produce dazzling ambient details that round every destruction. With massive explosions that are not afraid to show its might through your subwoofer(s), we ask that you keep an eye on the frames on your wall.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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TRON: Legacy (PG)

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TRON: Legacy (PG)

Tron Legacy is no ordinary movie because Daft Punk's phenomenal music artistry flows throughout this. Directional cues are realized effectively and precisely by drool-worthy motorbikes. Overhead sounds by flying drones and aircraft fulfill the 3-dimensional sound element and work together with your surround speakers to give you a tight surround hug. Well-positioned ambient whirring and electrifying buzz and hums are as ear-catching as the attention-grabbing neon lights shown before you. The star of this show is definitely the soundtrack that hits you at all the right spots, at the right time. Bass is tightly controlled, and when it punches, it punches ruthlessly to your chest. Signature Daft Punk beat patterns fully absorb you into the music sequence that will soak you up in an electrifying bed of euphoria.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Umbrella Academy (TV-14)

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Umbrella Academy (TV-14)

OPENING SCENE

A full array of surround effects is packed within 7 minutes of this Netflix Original series. You will first be greeted with narration in the frontal array while your surround speakers pace itself, producing various background effects to complement. Oldies classics then take centerstage with every other sound (dialogues, overhead rain, and background chatters) are stunningly reproduced. In the final minutes, your subwoofer(s) will come right in with resounding bass impacts from the explosions while bullets ricochet all around you to cradle you in a surround bed of sound effects.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Upgrade (R)

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Upgrade (R)

Directional sound cues take centerstage in this wildly imaginative sci-fi film. Tightly coordinated ambient effects such as the delicate whirring of highly sophisticated chipsets and drones overhead latch onto your ears to propel your listening experience. To further grip your attention, the movie introduces potent bass effects from gun blasts and explosions that will have you surrender to its warm reverberation and adds weight to the gory visual cues. Fatal squelches are delivered disturbing clear. Motion in fight scenes are swift enough to take your breath away from the edge of your couch.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (PG-13)

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (PG-13)

OPENING SCENE

Boasting beautiful sci-fi cinematography, the opening sequence of this movie’s surround sound is just as beautifully arranged. David Bowie lends his voice with a rendition of his song, “Space Oddity” being played through your stereo channels. Basking in his limelight through your ambient speakers are the flying satellites that emerge from the side, as well as other intricate sounds from space crafts and beeping alarms. Despite not heavily relying on your main channels, every sound effect and detail emitting from the surround speakers grab your ears’ attention with its utmost clarity. Tiny bell chimes and rings will draw your space travel to an end, together with David Bowie’s voice fading into the distance.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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WALL-E (G)

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WALL-E (G)

If you thought a movie that centres around a forgotten robot could never qualify for having great surround sound, here's a surprise. Nominated and winning multiple awards for it's intricate and detailed sound mix, this movie cleverly makes use of the quieter, seemingly dull moments to realistically recreate the sound and echoes from the crushed litter on otherwise quiet and deserted earth, with romantic 60's music accompanying our isolated robot as he trudges through the day. Later, As the robot chases his newfound partner from outer space, feel love rise in the air, as the direction of this pair of robots whizzing around outer space is clearly replicated and accurate to the direction that each is moving on the screen

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Warrior Nun (TV-MA)

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Warrior Nun (TV-MA)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 10 (19:33 - 24:19)

Loosely based on a 90s comic book, this Netflix Original does not disappoint with its surround sounds. In the final episode of S1, you will be transported to the middle of an ongoing Medieval fight where weapons clanking and horse neighs will greet you upon arrival. Grunts, wails, and slashes will leave its mark on your surround speakers. Scenes with purposefully slowed down motion of heavy weaponry such as waving of ax mid-air and grunts will allow you to listen to every detail of the sound trail before a shriek sneaks up on your center channels and a high-pitched ringing sound takes over from your side channels' initial track.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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The Witcher (TV-MA)

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The Witcher (TV-MA)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 (28:26 - 30:20)

A sword showdown is one of the better ways to test your surround sound system due to the unique, sharp, ringing sound effects that come with it. Without much background music and chatters, this showdown allows you to soak in every micro intricacy of swordplay; the drawing of swords from their sheaths, to every clink and clank of the blades meeting and resisting one another. Hear the directions of swords wielding round your surround speakers and listen for the amplified motion movement in the air.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Zodiac (R)

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Zodiac (R)

00:18 – 5:40

A conversation starter since its release a decade ago, this movie is just as good a surround sound conversational piece. Right from the beginning, it softly introduces familiar Fourth of July celebratory fireworks in the background as you cruise down the street. Environmental sounds such as cricket calls and busy drive-in, transit effortlessly within the channels of your speakers as the car checks in at different places. You might jump from the firecrackers that are thrown towards you. Tension is felt through the portrayal of another car’s movement and screeching, in and out, front and back, within your surround speakers. Before you know it, bullets will hit right at your chest and the feel-good car music will then creepily take over your main speakers.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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