I know I can be a bit of an oddball, but I have had bad experiences almost every time out to see a movie I want to see in a theater, due to the volume levels being too high. Last time was Blade Runner 2049. Fantastic movie, but whoever set up the sound did a terrible job in that particular theater.
Anyway, a rant on that experience: everything in that theater was loud, not just “loud” moments. It sounded like the sound was set up by a 16-year-old EDM enthusiast. In the very first scene, foot scuffs on the floor from a character walking in a room were loud. That’s just stupid. This was not IMAX which I know to avoid like the plague; just one of the regular theaters. I’m just really tired of having to worry about bringing earplugs to a movie theater viewing. It’s not just about protecting my hearing - I just don’t like experiencing pain for no good reason! >:(
Is anyone else frustrated with this trend? It does seem to vary from theater to theater on just how bad it gets, but it still is a trend, and it seems like a lot of the theaters also don’t want to hire people who know how to mix sound properly. I do think it’s fair (in my limited experience) to lay blame on local theaters, not the production made by the Hollywood engineers who I suspect really are competent.
I want to go check out a movie or two this weekend, but basically me previous experiences are scaring me off due to this issue.
I know I can be a bit of an oddball, but I have had bad experiences almost every time out to see a movie I want to see in a theater, due to the volume levels being too high. Last time was Blade Runner 2049. Fantastic movie, but whoever set up the sound did a terrible job in that particular theater. Anyway, a rant on that experience: everything in that theater was loud, not just "loud" moments. It sounded like the sound was set up by a 16-year-old EDM enthusiast. In the very first scene, foot scuffs on the floor from a character walking in a room were loud. That's just stupid. This was not IMAX which I know to avoid like the plague; just one of the regular theaters. I'm just really tired of having to worry about bringing earplugs to a movie theater viewing. It's not just about protecting my hearing - I just don't like experiencing pain for no good reason! >:( Is anyone else frustrated with this trend? It does seem to vary from theater to theater on just how bad it gets, but it still is a trend, and it seems like a lot of the theaters also don't want to hire people who know how to mix sound properly. I do think it's fair (in my limited experience) to lay blame on local theaters, not the production made by the Hollywood engineers who I suspect really are competent. I want to go check out a movie or two this weekend, but basically me previous experiences are scaring me off due to this issue.It’s the ads and previews that I find too loud. And the previews always show the shooting scenes or anything that can be loud. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. CRASH. SCREECH, BANG, BANG, BANG. I bring earplugs with me,
Totally agree Andrew. Drives me nuts sometimes, well, at least to distraction. 
Ear plugs good idea, I’ve resorted to wadded up napkin sometimes.
Don't know what you folks are talking about, but then I do have ear damage from the old days when we didn't wear ear or eye protection at work.I've spent many years around loud tools, even with ear plugs, the damage happens. Hear that ringing :shut: I got some work pics] :cheese:
Yes CC the tinnitus is incurable or unstoppable. It is always there. I think we all learn to incorporate into our norm. I know I have.Yeah, funny how it's a perception monitor. Sometimes don't notice it at all, then sometimes, like bedtime, need to make a conscious effort to zone-out, rather than get caught up in a maddening spiral with no way out. For instance, just writing this has turn up the volume on mine. Guess it's time to focus on other stuff. 8-/
Ya I’ll co-sign that sentiment. Saw Black Panther couple weeks ago and they turned that sucker up to 11. There was a little kid next to me the whole time who was getting freaked out by every sound. I have a feeling they turn it up more for horror movies as well.