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Gravity (Luxe Edition) (PG-13)

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Gravity (Luxe Edition) (PG-13)

If you think a movie set in Space will not feature impressive surround sound, think again. While Gravity will not aggressively assault your surround system, it will definitely taunt it through an extremely wide range of frequencies that are used to articulate the pressure in infinite space. The sound effects then balance that out with an impressive score of precisely placed, detail-rich sounds all around you to further heighten tension. Room-energizing explosions are also exemplary of how low-frequency tremors at high volumes should be portrayed. The deliberate lack of dialogues and emphasis on breathing patterns leave your mind to wander, sinking you deeper into the oblivion with Ryan. This truly crosses sound boundaries to create an immersive experience in the most unlikely place.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Greyhound (PG-13)

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Greyhound (PG-13)

Here’s one for those that love war stories! Be transported right into the battle scene with Tom Hanks as your commander, with superb layered sound effects from bullets, explosions, war cries, and crashing waves. Every sequence is soundly coordinated within your surround channels to put you in the heat of the tension with every passing minute. Torpedoes will whiz dangerous close by you, and adding realism to this experience is every shout of life-saving that is coherently reproduced by your surround channels. A variety of bass effects from crashing waves and dramatic music drums will test your subwoofer(s) dynamic capability and heighten this war story.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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The Grinch (Dr. Seuss' - 2018) (PG)

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The Grinch (Dr. Seuss' - 2018) (PG)

From the creators of despicable me, follow this animated series as a grump seeks to stop Christmas from happening. The sound of Christmas ambiance, carols and jingles will fill your room, with the sound of each of this grump's quirky antics perfectly replicated on your frontal channels. Later, The quiet yet audible sounds of this sneaky grump stealthily taking all things Christmas in the middle of the night add weight to the seriousness of what this grump is doing. This Movie is currently available on Amazon Prime Video and will be available on Netflix from January 1, 2021.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Guardians of the Tomb (PG-13)

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Guardians of the Tomb (PG-13)

Caution, this movie is not friendly to people that can't stand creepy crawlies. A large section of this movie revolves around a legion of spiders that lurk within the caves, with every stealthy movement of these arachnids distinctly heard around every speaker channel, with enough bloodthirsty action from these tiny monsters to add fuel to your wildest nightmares and imagination.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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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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How to Train Your Dragon (PG)

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How to Train Your Dragon (PG)

We love Dragons in all shapes and sizes because it represents 1 thing: Overhead Sound. Multiple motions sweep in its full glory leave trails for head-turning moments. As the plot evolves and Hiccup tries to work with a Toothless, the fury of the initial resistance will make its presence known through dynamic sound motions that seize your attention from your surround channel - all this done with a majestic concert band playing in the background that highlights the majestic unison of the Dragons and Vikings.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Hubie Halloween (PG-13)

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Hubie Halloween (PG-13)

Expect the sound of carelessly aimed eggs and garbage thrown overhead to envelop your listening environment early in the movie to mark the start of a halloween themed adventure. Slightly comical dialouge that add to the hubie-unique comical moments will come through clearly through your center channels, all while werewolf howls, dramatic music, horrified screams and creepy halloween scares emanates through your front channels to complete this horror and comedy movie mashup to gets everyone at home in the mood for Halloween.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Hawkeye (PG-13)

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Hawkeye (PG-13)

We couldn't have asked for more from Disney this holiday season! Hawkeye tries to get back to his family in time for Christmas - but the underworld is back to haunt him. As he meets a fellow archer aspiring to be a superhero, watch as they conquer all odds to come home in time for the most wonderful time of the year. With precision arrows flying past your seat over a colorful Christmas movie set, this series is not to be missed this holiday season!

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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Hellboy II: The Golden Army (PG)

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Hellboy II: The Golden Army (PG)

With the world threatened by a rising otherworldly, unstoppable force, the government engages with an elite task force to deal with the threat. Every power-packed move from opposing sides is clearly heard and felt through bass-heavy sound effects that take over your subwoofers and envelope your room, with believable height and dimension given to the flying wreckage from each battle scene, utilizing every speaker channel you have to bring a believable 3D soundscape.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Raya and the Last Dragon (PG)

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Raya and the Last Dragon (PG)

As Raya embarks on a seemingly impossible adventure to find the last dragon and end a war, follow her on an exciting journey as she fights against enemies and odds to succeed in her mission. Every fist punch thrown can be clearly felt through your subwoofers, with the energetic clashing sounds of sword fights and magic in this realm going off with pinpoint accuracy that is relative to the screen, with enough atmospheric effects to bring the movie scenes to life in your living room

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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Maleficent: Mistress of the Dark (PG)

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Maleficent: Mistress of the Dark (PG)

The heart of this film is in its take on reproducing captivating directional dialogues. Its dynamic use of every channel shows how much attention to detail the directors paid to fully convey every single aspect of Maleficient’s emotions. Every surround trail leaves an enchanting impression for your ears to follow in the darkness of your living room. Dynamic overhead sounds from crows that circles around you, portray rage that will keep your heart racing as the film builds up its tension. Keeping the best for the last, the final war raged will push your subwoofer(s) to deliver bass warmth that will pressurize your room.

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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Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (PG)

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Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (PG)

You would not have expected that a movie targeted at a younger audience to check the box of a good surround sound mix. It displays excellent spaciousness in the various sound effects that include main dialogues, ambient chatters, streetcar chases, and bullets whizzing, to create a larger-than-life soundstage to match the on-screen activity. Dramatic explosion will leave evidence of resounding trails from your subwoofer(s). Swooshes from ambitious circus maneuvers add not only depth in sound but create excitement to enhance the overall circus activity. Listen for the subtly layered ambient effects from your surround channels when happy pop music emanates from your center channels. This movie is perfect to start cultivating your kids’ love for surround sound.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Inception (PG-13)

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Inception (PG-13)

Rumored to conceptualize and written by Christopher Nolan for 10years, Inception is definitely worth your time to explore well-layered directional sound effects. Its captivating use of hyper-realistic sound effects continuously places you in the scene with every one of the characters in focus. No whisper or shout is delivered muddled and the simple sound effect from a spinning top, spell-bounds you from your surround channels. With everything kept to the minimal, explosive sequences draw a dramatic contrast that allows you to feel and appreciate the power of the bass. Inception clearly sets itself in a class of its own amongst blockbusters with bombastic sound effects.

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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