"With all the attention given to high definition and 3D TV lately, it'd be easy to underestimate the role of great sound in the film experience. But think about it: what was it that made the shark attack in Jaws so scary? Why did the opening scene of Star Wars leave such an indelible mark on most contemporary viewers? And why, even now, does the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan posses the power to shock so completely?

Simply put, the answer is great sound. Spielberg knew that sharks were silent, stealthy killers: it took John Williams’ powerfully affecting score to heighten the terror of each attack. George Lucas was just as profoundly aware of the need for great sound: he needed it to hide the flaws in his 1970s-vintage special effects. Once the thundering engines of a Star Destroyer have screamed over your head, you’ll pay less attention to the fact that, quite obviously, it’s all being done with models. And then there’s Saving Private Ryan, that paragon of surround sound savagery, as realistic a multichannel masterpiece as any in movie history: here, the sonic intent was to both convince and terrify, and did it ever work."

From Dolby to Blu-ray discs, Bowers & Wilkins' guide to surround sound explores the role of great sound in home entertainment and offers some insightful tips about get the most out of your home theatre speaker system.

Click below to read the full article on Bowers & Wilkins' Society of Sound blog.

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