Cinema Sound Playback Level and Audience Satisfaction

Metadata

Publisher: SMPTE
Doc Type: Journal Article
Content Type: Original Research
Abbreviated Title: SMPTE Motion Imaging Jour.
Volume: 134, No. 3, pp. 36–43
Abstract: Over 25 years ago, loan Allen presented a paper asking, “Are Movies Too Loud?” He described the then-current situation, highlighting many issues and symptoms, including audience complaints, concerns reported in the press, theater operators playing films below Reference Level, trailer loudness wars, and excessive trailer loudness pushing down feature playback level. These issues remain decades later despite some progress (notably the Trailer Audio Standards Association [TASA] standard). Previous investigations focused on deriving objective loudness metrics (variations on weighted Leq) and associated thresholds. For this paper, we take a different approach; we use a subjective loudness metric and measure audience satisfaction to establish a Comfort Threshold for feature and trailer soundtracks. We present research in real-world and controlled environments to explore the causes and consequences of reduced playback levels and propose changes to current practice.
Publication Date: 2025-05-01
DOI: 10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498
ISSN: Print: 1545-0279 | Electronic: 2160-2492
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498
Author(s): Charles Q. Robinson
Keyword(s): Cinema Sound, Loudness
Copyright: © 2025 SMPTE

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Charles Q. Robinson; Cinema Sound Playback Level and Audience Satisfaction, MIJ 2025, Volume 134, Number 3 (pp. 36 to 43); SMPTE, 2025. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498

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Charles Q. Robinson; Cinema Sound Playback Level and Audience Satisfaction, MIJ 2025, Volume 134, Number 3 (pp. 36 to 43); SMPTE, 2025. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498

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Charles Q. Robinson; Cinema Sound Playback Level and Audience Satisfaction, MIJ 2025, Volume 134, Number 3 (pp. 36 to 43); SMPTE, 2025. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498

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<span class="citation">Charles Q. Robinson; <cite>Cinema Sound Playback Level and Audience Satisfaction</cite>, MIJ 2025, Volume 134, Number 3 (pp. 36 to 43); SMPTE, 2025. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498</a></span>

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Charles Q. Robinson; Cinema Sound Playback Level and Audience Satisfaction, MIJ 2025, Volume 134, Number 3 (pp. 36 to 43); SMPTE, 2025
doi: 10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498
url: https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498

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Charles Q. Robinson; <cite id="bib-10-5594-jmi-2025-btrs5498">Cinema Sound Playback Level and Audience Satisfaction</cite>, MIJ 2025, Volume 134, Number 3 (pp. 36 to 43); SMPTE, 2025
<span class="doi">10.5594/JMI.2025/BTRS5498</span>
</li>