Q990F - why I switched back to adaptive soundmode (again)
Since months I have been debating with myself which soundmode is the best.
I have been hyperanalyzing all of my favourite 4k Blu-rays with dolby atmos, DTS:X, 5.1, 7.1 and also for casual tv shows, streaming, youtube etc.
At first I was using adaptive soundmode and all the AI features of my new S95F TV. Then I tried a more accurate experience and switched to filmmaker mode and also changed the sound mode to standard. The difference is HUGE. Standard mode only plays the channels of the original mix and does not upmix the sound at all. That means everything is way more accurate. On paper this should be the default setting for the "intended" experience when watching movies but also mixed content.
However the problem with Standard mode for me is that the Soundbar just wont get used to its full potential. Yes the soundmix is "untouched" in standard mode but you have to remember it is still "just" a soundbar, it is physically limited, it also does not produce REAL atmos, so without any kind of upmixing, dialogue will sound thin, voices will lack clarity and IMO you just wont have a nice and immersive experience because the soundbar will only use the 11.1.4 channels when it is in the original mix. So even when when watching mixed content in a 2.1 mix I always find myself switching back to adaptive sound mode.
In adaptive mode I pretty much know that any content I watch will be enjoyable.
Even when watching youtube videos I noticed a huge jump in voice clarity, because all the channels are being used with rear speakers amplifying everything while the front stage is still dominant. In standard mode the rears turn completely off while watching regular 2.1 content on youtube, streaming etc. and you will only hear voices directly from the main center of the soundbar. In adaptive the sound "bounces" all around you and if you tweak the channel setting according to your room and rear placement the surround channels wont feel overpowering. This allows you to turn down the volume significantly while still being able to hear clear dialogue and immersive surround sounds. For standard mode you need to turn up the volume otherwhise you wont be able to understand the dialogue.
I also tried surround mode but I only like it when watching atmos content on Blu-ray because sometimes adaptive can disort the sound a little bit too much and sometimes certain bass frequencies and surround effects can get lost. My problem is that surround mode makes the rear speakers a little bit too dominant, especially for watching 2.1 content you will sometimes hear dialogue only from the rears because it overshadowes the front stage. I feel like this works better in adaptive but you could probably tweak the rear channels so I could see myself using surround mode aswell.
For now I switched back to adaptive again and to me this is by far the most enjoyable experience. Yes it wont be as accurate, yes sometimes the rears can be too dominant but overall I prefer immersive sound, voice clarity, surround effects and the feel of a sound bubble with sound coming from all around me, because that is the whole point of a soundbar for me.
If I wanted an "accurate" experience I should probably not use a soundbar at all and buy a real Hi-Fi system and for real atmos I would need actual speakers installed in the ceiling.
Wanted to share all my thoughts here since some of you may wonder what sound mode they should use, I suggest use the one you enjoy the most and do not listen to the purists.
It is like using the perfect pricture mode. Purists will say use filmmaker mode without contrast enhancer or dynamic tonemapping, yet I still use those features because I enjoy them. At the end of the day accurate does not mean better for most people.