4200e Listening Tests
We started out our listening tests with some THX movies. Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones and Raiders of the Lost Ark . It's interesting to watch THX movies on a THX receiver with THX DSP coming through THX Select speakers: you would expect that the movies sound very close to what the original sound mixers intended. In addition, receivers with THX certification render the same program level for both DTS and Dolby Digital soundtracks (as set by the dialnorm metadata), a nice feature for comparing soundtracks.
Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones
Chapter 7
"Speeder Chase"
delivered a full
surround experience with swooping car-bys and excellent environment ambience. It was during this scene
that I did a lot of testing with respect to using dipole or bipole mode in a rear-mounted surround
scenario. I found the 4200e system to be profoundly enjoyable to listen to and felt it did an
exceptional job at audibly recreating the scene in my listening room. This is one of the more spatially
accurate systems I've heard at this price point, with excellent imaging and convincing front to
back pans and effects. The low end sweetening we have all come to know and love from Ben Burtt really
came through once again and had several subwoofer-taunting elements reminiscent of the throttling up
sequence from Episode One's Pod Race scene.
Explosions in the battle between the Republic and droid armies are nothing short of earth-shattering (Chapter 43 "Clone War"). It lacked the boominess that so many sound designers think sounds good in explosions. What's left is bone-jarring sub-60Hz frequencies that put you smack dab in the middle of the battlefield. In addition, when John Williams' score isn't overpowering the mix, the environment is full and immersive. The only downside we noted was a tendency for the subwoofer to lose control at higher SPLs. This would also be a problem in larger home theater rooms and thus supplementing with an extra sub may do the trick.
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1. Above
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Blue Man Group DVD-Audio Disc
This was the first disc I played on the Atlantic Technology System 4200e so I felt it only fair to include it in the evaluation. What amazed me most were the absolutely clean and clear vocals and exceptional imaging and soundstage. The 642 SB blended seamlessly with the main channels to bring forth a robust, coherent, "audibly visual" picture of the Blue Man Group's sonic creativity.
Tracks 3, 5 and 6 are my stand-out favorite tracks and present comprehensive test material with which to sample the dynamic capabilities of any system. Track 6 in particular really drives the surround's and challenges them on producing a full, rich, live-room feel in which the mix unfolds. Tracks 3 and 5 possess diverse and specific instrumentation that expose the 4200e's top end (which was clear and free from noticeable distortion or over-compression) as well as reveal the ability of the 642e SB to blend in seamlessly with the mix (it did.)
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1. Speak To
M
e (
1:09
)
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Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon SACD
"Breathe" sounded smooth and environmentally rich on the System 4200e. The ambient effects and room-filling bass notes made a very good track all the more enjoyable in Reference System 2. Track 3 "On the Run" put forth enough transitional effects to give an exceptionally clear rendering of this system's ability to put you in the mix. The rather complex/busy elements slid from speaker to speaker - sometimes silky smooth, and other times with a more sudden leap. I 'd recommend this track to anyone looking to explore how spacious a system is and how well a soundstage can be presented within a listening environment. While the 4200e speakers didn't completely disappear into the mix, the effect was not entirely without a sense of being lifted up from the room and placed within the song itself.
The Last Samurai
This is likely one of the most underrated movies of 2003 and definitely one of the
most underrated DVDs. Warner did a tremendous job on the transfer and there is good reason this film
was nominated for a Best Sound Oscar. Whether its Chapter 13's fight in the rain, with the
raindrops and movement filling the entire 3D listening field, or just the well-designed background
effects, this movie is great source material to see how well your speakers can disappear into the mix.
During the fantastic rescue scene in Chapter 27, arrows accurately pan across the soundstage while the
score develops into a full-frequency backdrop that exercises the entire 4200e system. The ending
conflict scenes (Chapters 33 and 34 in particular) present aggressive gunfire and explosions as the
samurai rush into battle. Sounds of steel hitting steel and an amazing amount of detailed foley effects
were clearly detailed by the 4200e C and LR speakers. Surrounds never missed a beat and filled in the
environment with the dipole setting spreading out the information enough to give a realistic presence
to the on-screen action and scenery.
