Customer Reviews

Dolby Surround Test CD

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Not in comparative terms, the 5-star rating assigned to this one is subjective, only reflecting my satifaction with it. Perhaps I should give it a 4-star because it certainly could be better.

This CD is very well made, and all in English (i.e. the 30-page instruction/explanation booklet and the "Left Channel, Right Channel, ..." spoken in the first track. It obviously has more than what's needed to set up and test a DPL system. The tracks are good for testing and adjusting any speaker systems and revealing the problems with the speakers and the room accoustic conditions (e.g. speaker frequecy response, speaker and/or room resonance, speaker build quality, etc.) It can be a powerful tool for speaker auditioning and speaker specs debunking.

The Noise Panning tracks easily reveal how well or poor the speakers are sonically matched and/or placed. The Base-frequency Adjustments tracks reveals the problems with subwoofers (placement and build quality), some of which may be remedied easily. The frequency sequence and sweep clearly show the dips in the frequency response of the woofer and subwoofer.

The musical samples themselves are worth part of the cost. They show you how good even DPL can sound, hence what one should expect of DD or DTS CDs and music DVDs.

The booklet contains illustrations of speakers vs. effects, and photos of the performing artists and where the sound was recorded (churches, etc.).

My friend got this CD (note it's a CD) so if you want to accurately set up a Dolby Digital/DTS system this is not the way to go. If your a beginner or don't really care how your set up sounds then go for it. Everyone else should get Avia Guide To Hometheater or better yet Digital Video Essentials, both sold right here on amazon.com.

Careful!!! IF you are looking for a pure music and video clips to check your latest dolby HT - this will be a nightmare for you. This CD is simply gives wizzzing sound through which you can check all the channels. It wont be helpful if you are using dolby digital. It is good only for old dolby pro logic systems. If you are having DTS decoded etc... this CD will be an expensive toy.

Give another thought beofore you buy... Best suggestion would be DTS / Dolby Digital Demo CDs

..to go along with it. Otherwise you will be making a lot of ad hoc adjustments which won't make a meaningful difference when you listen to real music.

The booklet that comes with this CD is very usefull for setting up your Dolby Pro Logic surround sound system, and the music on the CD is excelently recorded. The sound effects leave a little to be desired though. But then, I'm a guy and would really like to find a CD with some Jets and explosions.

From "Spoken Channel Identification" through "1 kHz, 0 dB", it doesn't get much better than this! One of the best CDs in my collection. My favorite track is #15 (Cows Moooing) which should have been released as a single (what was WEA thinking?) and possibly given a Puff Daddy or Junior Vasquez remix. If this CD is any indication then "Dolby Surround Test" is going to rule the airwaves with their next release. I can't wait.

My only complaint is that the otherwise informative book doesn't have any pictures of the band. What gives? They can't be THAT ugly!

By the way, does anyone know when they'll be touring?