Near Reference Concert Listening with Blu-Ray and Polk

SRTer

Well Polk fans, today I listened to a concert on Blu-Ray. I'm sure this is not most people favortie music for critical listening. Nevertheless, I thought it would be good considering the money behind the concert and it venue.

Justin Timberlake's, Futuresex/Loveshow, Live from Madision Square Garden.
Recorded in
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (640 kbps)
PCM (uncompressed) 5.1 Surround Sound (48kHz/24-bit)

Listening to the concert at -9dB to -7dB, I found that this recording is sounded best with THX settings (80Hz crossover on all speakers) with THX Music selected.

I normally run my towers full range (LARGE), and it does sound good. However, the bass seemed to be recorded lower that the other frequencies. I could get a better response having the sub play all the lower bass frequencies after raising the volume on the sub.

This is the loudest I have ran my system at extended time. I was impressed by the SC-35 ability not to shut off or distort near reference. If I would have went any louder, I whould have risked damaging my hearing.

I think I will try a few more different types of music concerts on Blu-Ray in lossless before I by a separate amp.

I have been looking at some Macintosh, ATi, Parasound, and Wyerd 4 Sound ICE powered amps.

I'm not sure if I'm missing anything in sound with my setup. Since I'm not getting rid of the RTi's yet. Therefore, we will see if I can take it to the next level. Just got to make sure I'm going to get my monies worth in the addition of a amp.

I really felt as if I was front row with the volume near reference. Now I want to move right down on the stage with the sound.

I'm thinking of some of the amps that are bridgeable to 250-300 watts @ 8 ohms or none bridged at 250-300 watts @ 8 ohms in 2 channel because I think the Pio SC-35 can handle the RTi A7's and CSi A6 without a problem, especially with the RTi A9's out of the equation.

I still have alot to learn about amps. I'm trying to find the right combination of watts, damping, and slew rate.

BlueFox

Tom Petty released Mojo on Bluray, music only - no video, at 48K/24 bit PCM, and 5.1 DTS lossless. It sounds great.

SRTer

BlueFox wrote: »

Tom Petty released Mojo on Bluray, music only - no video, at 48K/24 bit PCM, and 5.1 DTS lossless. It sounds great.

I will check Amazon to see the track listing.

"let's get, to the point, let roll, another joint". Tom Petty

He had some special lyrics. I use to spend alot of time in a pool hall playing people for braging rites and money. They would play Tom Petty all night.

Last Dance with Mary Jane, every hour and a half without fail. Also Eric Clapton, Cocaine.

nooshinjohn

Keiko wrote: »

A piece that I like to use for reference is a bootleg recording of Led Zeppelin titled, Destroyer. Recorded at the Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland, 1977, IIRC. The sound quality, even though it's a bootleg is excellent and worth hunting down, if you can find it.

Is this recording like the one from "The Circle"... after you hear it, you die?

I have heard about this recording, but have never heard it, and those that had it all seem to disappear. I would love to get my listen on and find out for myself.:cool:

headrott

Keiko wrote: »

A piece that I like to use for reference is a bootleg recording of Led Zeppelin titled, Destroyer. Recorded at the Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland, 1977, IIRC. The sound quality, even though it's a bootleg is excellent and worth hunting down, if you can find it.

This one is a good one. Great sound and performance.

Greg

SRTer

headrott wrote: »

This one is a good one. Great sound and performance.

Greg

I really wonder how a bootleg recording turned out to be a proper sounding recording. It seem like it would not be possible without hooking into the sound board.

I must be a hell of a bootleg.

jbooker82

N.I.N has a pretty good concert blu ray.

67jason

jbooker82 wrote: »

N.I.N has a pretty good concert blu ray.

x2

so does depeche mode.

headrott

SRTer wrote: »

I really wonder how a bootleg recording turned out to be a proper sounding recording. It seem like it would not be possible without hooking into the sound board.

I must be a hell of a bootleg.

It is a soundboard recording, but I'm not sure what Mike is comparing it to but I was comparing it to other bootlegs. Destroyer is one of the better ones IMO. Certainly not as good as a "reference" live recording though.

Greg

kuntasensei

I just got Eddie Vedder's Water On The Road on Blu-ray... and man, the DTS-HD MA track on that sounds phenomenal. The concert is primarily him solo (though there are a few guest bits), and whoever did the mix did an outstanding job. The bass in his voice and the highs of the acoustic instruments sound like he's in the room with you. Plus, he does an acoustic version of Man Of The Hour that is just beautiful. Definitely worth a listen.

SRTer

You know, I think the Blu-Ray concerts in lossless DD HD or DTS HD Master audio is the best I have heard. I really feel that more people should do concerts in Blu-Ray.

I want to hear Santana do the Supernatural album live again but it lossless Blu-Ray. I have the DVD but it doesn't touch the stuff I have heard on Blu-Ray.

tonyb

I picked up a U2 blu-ray concert dvd, dts hd master audio sounded excellent, the best I heard in a long time from any format. I think the hd master audio has great potential for music.

vc69

kuntasensei wrote: »

I just got Eddie Vedder's Water On The Road on Blu-ray... and man, the DTS-HD MA track on that sounds phenomenal. The concert is primarily him solo (though there are a few guest bits), and whoever did the mix did an outstanding job. The bass in his voice and the highs of the acoustic instruments sound like he's in the room with you. Plus, he does an acoustic version of Man Of The Hour that is just beautiful. Definitely worth a listen.

A guy named John Burton did that recording (he does all of PJ/EV's live recording). Eddie is phenomenal in a solo setting. He's the real deal.

kuntasensei

vc69 wrote: »

A guy named John Burton did that recording (he does all of PJ/EV's live recording). Eddie is phenomenal in a solo setting. He's the real deal.

Yeah... audio wise, it sounds better than any of my SACDs. I was blown away by the quality of that recording. And the 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix was actually way better than the 2-channel LPCM track, though both sound amazing. Definitely worth checking out, even if you're not the biggest fan.

SRTer

kuntasensei wrote: »

Yeah... audio wise, it sounds better than any of my SACDs. I was blown away by the quality of that recording. And the 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix was actually way better than the 2-channel LPCM track, though both sound amazing. Definitely worth checking out, even if you're not the biggest fan.

I wonder if Blu-Ray concert audio in lossless will move the 2 channel only people to consider putting serious money into a multi-channel setup for music?

It wouldn't be hard for them since they already have 2 serious front speakers with an amp or mono blocks.

I hope to see more live performances or even recorded studio sessions. This would be great. To hear and see the people play and as well as the dude on the mixer board all working in a smokey room with bottles of Jack all around.

Could you image one of those old Eric Clapton jam sessions on Blu-Ray, PRICELESS!