Rating: PG-13

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Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (PG-13)

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Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (PG-13)

No part of this soundtrack suggests dead. Penetrating depth of sounds can be observed in this installment of Pirates of the Caribbean. Lucid details of every frequency, be it high or low, demands for your attention in the most belligerent way possible, and all done without overshadowing one another. The exceptional separation of each sound detail virtually creates and sets the eeriness of the mood in perfect synchronization when Davy Jones plays his gothic piano during a turbulent storm at sea. Every “aye” is heard with pinpoint definition and echoes are delivered with realistic sound vigor that seamlessly travels from one speaker to the next.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Ready Player One (PG-13)

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Ready Player One (PG-13)

A community favorite, this movie is no stranger to surround movie buffs! It features EVERYTHING a surround sound fan can ever ask for – plus, a healthy dose of nostalgia that firms this film as a classic surround sounds movie go-to! The VR car racing scene that Wade competes in literally had us bopping our heads to the “Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Hate Myself for Loving You “whilst, marveling at the whirring vehicle transformation from the surround speakers. Background revving is noticeable clear in their respective distances and as the cityscape transforms, your surround speakers will highlight all the motions while your subwoofer(s) will play complement in the final thump, before the gun fires from top-down to signify the start of the race. Motors speeding and revving will drift around you and cause literal goosebumps. Listen up for the familiar clinking sounds of coins collection from arcade games and feel King Kong’s wrath filling your floor with warm undistorted bass

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Red Notice (PG-13)

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Red Notice (PG-13)

Armed with a star studded cast, featuring Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds, this Netflix movie became the most watched film on Netflix during its debut weekend, and for good reason! The movie's huge production budget translated into fast-paced, yet entertaining action on screen that makes great use of your surround speakers, as a tussle ensures in the fight to claim ownership of a priceless bejeweled art piece.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Salt (PG-13)

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Salt (PG-13)

Used correctly, salt enhances flavor, and this movie, embodies it to give the word, “action” a touch of its excellence. From heroic stunts across fast-moving vehicles to seemingly impossible escapes, you will find yourself absorbed into the action, especially with the lifelike sounds of smashing windows and gunshots whizzing past you from all your available surround channels. Keen and active dialogue comes through your center channels to provide a well-rounded surround experience.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Shang Chi (PG-13)

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Shang Chi (PG-13)

With both Shang Chi and the villain being skilled in weaponry kung fu, the whoosh of powerful-packed fist and dagger battles, energy, and magic-based effects, as well as it's resulting carnage will show off the might and finesse of your surround sound system. Widely recognized as one of 2021's successful movie blockbusters, this is a movie not to be missed!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Soul (PG)

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Soul (PG)

Disney is known to pay very close attention to creating a realistic soundscape for every animated movie, and SOUL is no exception. Leveraging on Dolby Atmos, SOUL makes full use of every speaker channel to engulf you with lush, ethereal ambient cues that virtually seem to transport you out of this world. Every musical note is beautifully rendered through your frontal channels, going in sync with the main character's deft finger movements. So much attention has been given to the original musical scores for this movie, that it's musical scores have already won multiple awards for being some of the best musical pieces ever created for a movie.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13)

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Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13)

Loaded with a ton of in-air action, the whole movie swings in at full force with superb coordination between what is on-screen and what is translated through your surround system. With discrete surround speakers, you will be able to discern every motion, no matter the distance. Every mechanical whirring impresses with clarity through the surround channel. Finishing off with a bang, the final encounter with The Vulture will utilize every known channel to send all objects’ sounds (from the explosion) to its respective position, filling your soundstage with not only just in-air atmospheric debris but also, resounding rich rumbles from the ground. This will definitely satisfy your craving for spatial surround effects.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker (PG-13)

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Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker (PG-13)

This delivers exemplary surround audio in J.J. Abrams’s attempt to conclude decades worth of the Star Wars universe. Apart from the signature sound effects that we love from their plasma-powered lightsabers, this movie serves up an additional challenge for your surround system through Rey’s and Kylo Ren’s high energy lightsaber battle in the midst of a howling thunderstorm. Environmental sounds and sparks from the clashing lightsabers are clearly transmitted through the surround speakers, turning your living room into the battle scene. Leaving no channels idle, the thunderous thuds made by both are noticeable through your subwoofer(s) even with huge crashing waves stealing the spotlight.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Stranger Things (TV-14)

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Stranger Things (TV-14)

SEASON 3 EPISODE 1 (00:00 - 05:00)

This scene has everything and will put your sound system to the ultimate test. At the start, the intense music, workers walking intently with fast, heavy footsteps and echo create a spacious soundscape, making you feel like you are in the middle of an immense basement compound with the anxiety that something devastating is about to happen. As the reactor powers up, you will hear a cacophony of ear-splitting screeches, static, electric shocks and metallic clanks that gradually build up to an epic explosion, pushing all speakers and subwoofers in your sound system to overdrive. Watch this at your own risk.

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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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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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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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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