DMC-1 Listening Tests: Multi-Channel
Rather than assault readers with short snippets from ten thousand tracks, I selected two multi-channel discs that were known for their low noise floor and excellent attention to detail. I wanted at least one full, enveloping mix, with ample room to hear the soundstage of the Emotiva as well as the ability for it to reproduce full frequency-range tracks without hesitation and without missing any clarity or fidelity.
DTS:
The
Moody Blues Days of Future Passed
The first track "The Day Begins" rose and fell gradually as the score pulsed and swelled with the underlying "Nights in White Satin" theme. I turned up the volume until it was at reference level and the experience was very much like being in front of the London Festival Orchestra. The instrumentation was not only so vivid ; it was coming to my ears from outside the confines of the room. I had to open my eyes after a period of time to get my bearings.
A brief first half of Track 4, "Lunch Break" had the feel of rush hour in New York City - reminiscent of an old Audrey Hepburn movie. The height of the brass and percussion really opened up the mix, rendering it as a rapid assault of the fantastic orchestral ensemble that was as real as standing in front of Tiffany's.
"The Afternoon" ("Tuesday Afternoon" for those not familiar with The Moody Blues' orchestral version nomenclature) brought this disc to a more intimate level, without collapsing what was being rapidly recognized as a gigantic soundstage. Some fun surround effects also made this a lively mix, even tossing some of the main vocals into the surrounds. Pop this disc in, close your eyes, and you will likely find yourself frittering away the afternoon listening to some amazingly detailed and fantastically mixed ear candy. The Emotiva did a terrific job of rendering every detail of this well-mixed masterpiece.
DVD-Audio: R.E.M.
Out of Time
"Radio Song" started off the album and set up the upbeat tone of this DVD-Audio remix by Elliot Scheiner. Immediately you were put knee deep into the performance. Again, the height of some of the elements of this mix was simply astounding - they left the boundaries of the room. The tacks are placed within the sound field in such a way as to envelop, rather than necessarily recreate a live performance.
I found that these new DVD-Audio remixes of the original tracks made good use of DVD-Audio's additional headroom. The dynamic range seemed to be much improved and the songs sounded much more "live".
Track 3 "Low" made creative use of the surrounds to spread the percussion throughout the room. The Emotiva preserved all of the elemental detail and revealed even subtle instrumentation such as the background bass that was well back in the mix during verses.
I liked how nothing seemed overdone in these remixed tracks. The DMC-1 held to an honest rendition, never pushing, and certainly never missing or rolling off any subtleties. "Shiny Happy People" was a good example of a song with depth, providing an intimate mix of vocals and instruments while still enjoying the freedom and flexibility of the 5.1 channel format by overtly utilizing the surrounds during choruses and vocal harmonies.
This disc could fit well into anyone's collection. If you aren't already an R.E.M . fan you just might be converted after listening to Out of Time in 5.1. Conversely, if you aren't yet an Emotiva fan, a few select tracks in a reference room may just change that as well.
