The Academy

To: benedett@ugcs.caltech.edu
From: mleader@leaderent.com (Michael Leader)
Subject: The Academy Theater

I would like to congratulate you on your  "Theaters of Pasadena" page.

However, as a designer of really advanced systems for cinema,  The
Acedemy Theater is   N O T   a THX cinema.  While most of the equipment, 
is listed on the THX approved list,  this theater is head and shoulders
above the minimium standards necessary for THX certification.  

I do not know of any public cinema, with the exception of those our company
has installed,  which locate the amplifiers behind the screen.  This is done
at the Academy.  The Academy also has two woofer cabinets for each of the
five main screen channel speaker systems.  This is a total of 20  15 inch
woofers in addition to the JBL sub-woofer systems.  During a screening, as
only 3 screen channels will be in operation typically for:  Dolby analog,
Dolby digital, and DTS  12  15 inch woofers are in operation.  The new woof-
ers from both JBL and EV are similar with 600 watts/1000watts program for
each 15 inch woofer.  The Academy theaters woofer array will provide superior
bass due to low-passing the second enclosure at 250 Hz.  Also the system 
operates a distortion levels which are insignificient.  ALSO the woofers
will never reach X MAX  regardless of sound track.

The two way, 15 inch woofers and constant directivity horn/driver combo for 
the surround channel would never be used in a   c o m m o n  public cinema.
They just wont pay for it!!!  Also, to further the performance of the 
surrounds, additional delay is used for conceiled ceiling fill in units.


Sorry,  but i am offended that you refer to the Academy Theater as a THX
house.  THX only has one interest...and it is miles away from the STATE-OF-
THE-ART.  The new THX approved (single 15" woofer with driver and small 90x40
horn) from ELECTRO-VOICE is a joke.  The joke is not at EV.  THX have 
approved this for use in cinemas up to 45,000 cu.ft.  This will really be
fun.  Digital effects will sound like a transistor radio....we are designing
multi-million dollar monitoring and mixing systems foruse in rooms approx.
10,000 to 22,000 cu.ft.  Even 6  15 inch woofers, along with 4 x 18 inch
sub-woofers (2 x 3000 watts for sub only) is only just enough to reach todays
state of the art.

I would be interested in your comments.  You might be interested in taking
a look at our site:

                         http:www.leaderent.com

The area of interest would be under:  LHF (tm)  LEADER HOLLYWOOD FORMAT (tm)


Keep up the good work....and remember....for a cinema experience beyond THX

                 go to the Academy Theater!!!!


Regards,

Michael Leader,  President

Leader Sound Technologies Corporation

this material is COPYRIGHT 1996