South Korean CGV Cinema Embraces Alcons Advantages
European cinema chains have long known about the benefits of the highest quality , most consistent sound which Alcons pro-ribbon systems bring their audiences . As the word has spread across the world , movie theatres in an everincreasing number of countries are embracing the advantages of Alcons Audio . The latest is in South Korea .
Located in the city of Paju , South Korea , CGV Paju Yadang is the latest movie theatre in South Korea opened by CJ CGV - the country ' s largest multiplex cinema chain and the fifth largest in the world . It has five auditoriums , all with comfortable recliner chairs and Barco laser projectors . " They were very satisfied with the Alcons Audio demo , saying ' We love the HF from the pro-ribbon tweeter and could definitely hear a cleaner sound than from other systems ' Kang , Head engineer YuYukorea . The main auditorium features an Alcons proribbon system , specified and supplied by specialist cinema company Yuyukorea Co ., Ltd , based in Seoul . It was installed by the company ' s head engineer , Kang . " We helped the customer with A / B demonstrations of different systems ," he says . " They were very satisfied with the Alcons Audio demo , saying ' We love the HF from the pro-ribbon tweeter and could definitely hear
a cleaner sound than from other systems '. They made an instant decision after the demo to choose the Alcons system ."
The system comprises three CR4 ( 3x RBN401 4 " HF , 2x 6.5 " MF , 2x 15 " LF ) large-format screen systems for the main left , centre , right channels , with two CB362 ( 2x 18 ") high-output fullsize subwoofer systems and 18 CRS8 ( 1x RBN401 4 " HF , 1x 8 " LF ) mediumformat reference surround . The system is powered and controlled by two Sentinel3 and two Sentinel10 amplified loudspeaker controllers . " It is very rare in South Korea that an independent movie theatre chain chooses high-end audio like an Alcons pro-ribbon system , but the customer is very happy ," says Kang . " It is not only the quality they feel and hear from the system , but also the response of moviegoers ." " Staff from other cinema chains in South Korea have visited CGV Paju Yadang to hear the auditorium with an Alcons pro-ribbon system and the client is actively considering using Alcons Audio again for his next project ," Kang continues . " They have already said that they should have installed the other rooms at CGV Paju Yadang with Alcons as well !"
Prestigious DGA Theatre Upgrades to Dolby Atmos with Meyer Sound Cinema
The Directors Guild of America recently completed a total renovation of its flagship motion picture exhibition space at the prestigious DGA Theatre in Los Angeles . Guided by a Guild committee of six leading filmmakers , the renewal project has moved the 600-seat theatre to the forefront of cinema technology with installation of custom-built Dolby Vision laser projection and a Dolby Atmos immersive sound system encompassing more than 70 Meyer Sound cinema loudspeakers . To translate their creative concepts into design specifics , the Guild committee engaged the noted Gensler architectural firm . In turn , Gensler assigned the critical role of audiovisual specification and engineering to Tom Schindler , senior vice president at the San Franciscobased Salter consulting firm . From the outset , explains Schindler , the committee had insisted on the absolute highest level of audio reproduction . " We first measured the acoustics of the room , but this element was well done with the original design . Background noise and reverberation both were well within standards . So the critical factor came down to loudspeaker selection ." Working in consultation with Dolby engineers Jose Castellon and Gary Meissner , Schindler drafted a comprehensive performance specification with options for different loudspeaker manufacturers .
Drawing on their unique perspectives as filmmakers , the Guild committee members insisted on a live audition in order to make a final decision . " When the speaker system decision was going to be made , we decided that , no , we ' re not going to decide this just on the printed specs ," recalled one committee member , director Michael Mann , in a recent DGA interview . " We wanted the systems set up for an audition . We wanted to hear how they would sound as we moved around the space ." Meyer Sound and one other maker brought in front screen channel systems for a comparative listening session attended by Mann and another key member of the committee , director Michael Apted . Each system was tuned by manufacturer representatives for peak performance . The Dolby representatives consulted with the DGA team in selecting a broad range of licensed soundtrack excerpts to evaluate dialogue clarity , effects impact , and musicality .
" Everyone coalesced around similar impressions ," recalls Schindler . " On a
March-May 2021 TW-15