Movies

Now let's fire up some videos and test out the surround sound capabilities of the STX II 7.1

• Application: KM Player
• Plugin: AC3 Filter
• Media: DVD

To start out, levels were set on the card and receiver to ensure channels were at equal levels. The system was leveled and volume was added to produce realistic effects.

Movie: War of the Worlds

During the opening storm sequence, wind effect produced an enveloping surround sound effect.  Giving me the feeling I was right in the middle of the storm.  The lightning produced a creepy immersive effect in which it sounded like it was hitting right in the middle of the sound field. Testing the subwoofer when the alien breaks through the ground....this scene gave me chills. The street cracking went from side to side cleanly.  Screaming goes from channel to channel and front to back seamlessly.  Those amazing Low frequency rumbles shook my chair during testing not to mention my chest!  When the pavement ripples and shakes, the effect went right through me from the front right into the back.  Rumbles and breaking glass help immerse me into the action on screen. When the alien walker finally breaks through the ground, it put a big smile on my face; the STX II 7.1 reproduced the surround sound field perfectly.  People running and screaming bounced from side to sound, forward and back...the bass channel kept pumping clean bass and LFE effects.  The powering up sequence of the alien walker gave me the creeps.  When the machine started firing the beam sounded like it was going past where I was sitting...outstanding!
 

We did note how clear the dialog was even during loud action sequences, the center channel cut right through the mix. This has always been one of my favorite test pieces for surround sound sources and the STX II performed in fine style.

Movie: U-571

The card and test system produced and amazing rumbling and LFE effects for sub simulation.  The STX II did an amazing job shifting from the open sound of the ocean to the tight confines of the submarine. The movie contains a great deal of low bass and LFE effects and the card produced them all easily.  The dialog remained clean and clear even during heavy bass and action scenes, there was no wash out.  The bass was ever present but never drowning or covering the dialog or other channels. The musical side of the soundtrack came through very clear, maintaining it own place in the mix. The torpedo sequences gave chills, skipping from channel to channel easily and seamlessly.

Movie: Saving Private Ryan

The Omaha Beach Landing sequence is a staple in our testing regimen.  The bullets whizzing by from channel to channel, explosions working out the sub channel really gives the card a good workout. I find when this is at proper volume; it makes the heart pound and gives you and incredible immersive effect.  Explosions produced were clean and clear with no bottoming out of the sub or bass wash out. The directional sound seemed to be coming from everywhere, excellent reproduction! Notes on Movie testing: What we test for is issues and anomalies along with immersive surround sound experience! We listen for issues in the dialog, bass or surround effects and how well the source being tested can reproduce the soundtrack and surround effects.  With our test system, the STX II 7.1 did an excellent job of pulling us into the action and immersing us in the movie.

If there were any issues, we didn’t notice, just great home theatre sound and excitement!