Movies and being able to understand the dialogue

[maneth]

We have a decent sound system both in the living room (stereo) and in our movie room (7.1 surround, 100 in projector), and I have to admit that it's often a lot easier to make out what they're saying on the latter, at least on modern shows. I think it's quite refreshing to watch older shows, though, because that problem doesn't exist. I've never had any trouble making out what they're saying on shows made in the 1990s and earlier.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Probably because a lot more people were relying on their TV's own sound back then, so the sound was mixed appropriately and in simple stereo. You even had notices when a show would be broadcast in stereo. Nowadays, it's almost expected everyone will have a fancy sound system with surround sound. On top of that, it seems like everything is mixed to be louder.

 

[shapeshifter]

Most TVs today have equalizers built in with at least one setting for vocal range. Or at least one Custom to set all levels as you like, turn vocal range all the way up.

I use a receiver, it has level controls for every speaker individually. I turn the center up or down as much as needed to hear speech clearly.
Read captions as a last resort.

At theaters, the rear seats often have surround speakers aimed right at our ears so choosing seats closer to the screens may help hear the center channel more clearly. Check at guest services for headphones or a captioning device.

 

[Amaris]

When I watch movies on my computer, I am constantly fiddling with the volume control because it will be too loud one moment, and then it's just mumble breath dialogue the next.

 

[Jayson1]

This all reminds of of this Family Guy moment.

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