EXP delivers a sense of realism that you won't find in an ordinary sound system, and is the only loudspeaker product that can faithfully reproduce the audio content in our new extended surround format.”
Rudyard ColtmanOwner, Cinetopia
One of the 14 theatres nationwide screening Pixar’s “Brave” with Dolby’s new Atmos immersive multi-channel surround format, Cinetopia’s latest Vancouver Mall 23 in Washington state has chosen Meyer Sound EXP cinema loudspeaker systems to provide the linearity and headroom to intensify the audience experience. This new screening room is amongst the four GXL theatres that owner Rudyard Coltman has equipped with EXP in this brand new Cinetopia location.
“Meyer Sound EXP is a studio-grade loudspeaker system with far greater power and frequency range,” says Coltman. “EXP delivers a sense of realism that you won’t find in an ordinary sound system, and is the only loudspeaker product that can faithfully reproduce the audio content in our new extended surround format.”
“Brave” was the first feature release with a soundtrack created for playback with the new multi-directional Atmos surround sound as well as with standard 5.1 and 7.1 formats. Atmos supports up to 128 channels of audio inputs, which are then rendered for up to 64 outputs for sound designers to place and dynamically move discrete “audio objects” around the audience.
Atmos playback requires loudspeakers on the auditorium walls and overhead. Each loudspeaker is individually addressable to reproduce a localized, full-range audio object—such as a helicopter, cannon shot, or charging rhino. All of this audio information can only be accurately delivered through a loudspeaker system that performs in a linear manner across all frequencies and sound levels.
“EXP is a premium sound system that is not available from other exhibitors in this metro market,” notes Coltman, who has installed Meyer Sound EXP at Cinetopia Progress Ridge 14, located across the Columbia River. “It wowed our audiences in Beaverton, so it was an easy decision to extend that track record to the GXL screens here in Vancouver.”
In addition to the Atmos-compatible GXL Auditorium, Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23 features three more GXL screens, each equipped with Meyer Sound EXP loudspeakers for its 7.1 surround systems.
The Meyer Sound EXP system in Cinetopia’s Atmos-compatible GXL auditorium is based around Acheron screen channel loudspeakers and X‑800C subwoofers. In addition to the full complement of HMS‑10 surround loudspeakers required for 7.1 surround, the system also employs front and overhead surrounds along with rear subwoofers. The system is optimized using a Galileo loudspeaker management system with Galileo 616 and 408 processors.
Also featured in the numerous screening rooms at Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23 are 4K digital projection, Dolby 3D technology, and stadium seating with premium wide seats. All EXP systems were installed by ACE (American Cinema Equipment) and Franklin Designs.
With their extraordinarily linear performance, the EXP systems used at Cinetopia for the screening of “Brave” provide an exact translation of what was heard on the film’s mixing stage. The film was mixed at Lucasfilm’s fabled Skywalker Ranch, also using Meyer Sound EXP loudspeakers. In addition, Meyer Sound EXP loudspeakers were used for the overhead, surround and low-frequency reproduction in the Atmos system at the Dolby Theatre (formerly the Kodak Theatre) in Hollywood for the public unveiling of the Atmos format on June 11.