IMAX vs Dolby Cinema | What's The Best Movie Theater Experience? 

I'm all in on Dolby Cinema. While I'm lucky to have a true IMAX in my city, the Dolby is just next level. Also, they don't skimp on the bass there. The batmobile scene was next level in The Batman

I’ve been doing Dolby Cinema the last few years. For me it’s just a hands down better experience. Aspect ratio aside, picture, sound & comfort win for Dolby Cinema!

IMAX for films shot in IMAX, Dolby for everything else

Good video Shane. Thank you. 🙏🏻 I did the same comparison at Leicester Square, London back in 2019 watching Captain Marvel in Dolby Cinema followed by IMAX with Dual 4K Laser GT. For immersive viewing it was no contest as the Dolby Cinema screen (13.1m x 7m) felt like it was postage stamp sized in relation to the huge auditorium at the Odeon flagship cinema in comparison to IMAX (26m x 15.2m) across the square. That’s a *HUGE* difference in size no matter where you choose to sit. The video quality (colours, HDR and black levels) were very good in Dolby Cinema. The Dolby Atmos audio including low-end bass was also decent. Leather recliners were comfortable and there was no issues with leg room. There are 400 speakers (and I think 128-channels?). IMAX with Dual Laser offered very good video quality and decent audio. However, there was less noticeable surround and overhead activity compared to Dolby Atmos. The seats are pretty standard IMAX seats i.e. not comfortable leather recliners and legroom for tall people is pitiful! IMAX with Laser (whether single 4K projector aka CoLa - Commercial Laser or Dual 4K GT - Grand Theater) both use 12-channel audio. This includes four height speakers and an additional two side surround speakers over the older 6-channel audio that older IMAX installations use (both 15/70mm IMAX film plus 2x2K Xenon). I can’t find the screen dimensions of AMC Danbury 16 IMAX but from what you mentioned in this video about there being no height speakers I imagine it is Xenon *not* Laser and only has a 6-channel audio system installed. Some people refer to these screens as LieMax. It is a very different experience from watching a movie containing expanded aspect IMAX ratio on an 1.43:1 IMAX screen or a massive 1.90:1 IMAX with Laser screen. I’m surprised and disappointed to hear you didn’t watch the whole of Thor: Love and Thunder in IMAX. It wasn’t even a long movie Dude! 🙄🤔 I think it’s fair to say there are pros and cons of both formats and it depends on which movie you’re watching and at which venue as to which will be the better experience. Also, depends what the viewer considers are the most important factors i.e. immersive screen experience, audio quality, seat comfort etc.

I always go with Dolby, but sometimes I have to choose the Lie-Max screen because it's just more convenient. Determined to see Oppenheimer in 70mm IMAX so even though I'm seeing it two weeks after the release date, at least I'll be seeing it in the way that Nolan intended. The one thing I like about seeing movies on AMC's Laser IMAX is that the Nicole Kiidman AMC ad is way shorter than when I see a movie on Dolby.

Been to my Dolby Cinema nearly 25 times. I'll choose it (for a first viewing) over IMAX with the exception of movies that I'm excited about with expanded sequences. Stunning image, incredible atmos. The problem with IMAX is the inconsistent audio setups. I was lucky to catch several 1.43 70MM film projection IMAX showings of TENET with impeccable audio, but then seeing DUNE in dual laser 1.43 up at the Udvar-Hazy IMAX in DC had a substantially worse setup. I'm lucky my local AMC has a somewhat large IMAX, but nothing compares to a full 1.43 screen. Seems like more and more movies are being shot and released in that format (LIGHTYEAR, NOPE, etc), but there are only a handful in the US and elsewhere that are capable of showing them as intended.

I perfer a true IMAX over Dolby for screen size and dynamic impact. I choose Dolby for the comfort

Saw The Batman both in imax and dolby, it's Dolby for me. Picture and Sound can't be beat, and for reference the theater I go to is AMC in Port Chester, NY

I had my first experience with Dolby Cinema tonight when I went to see the re release of Die Hard. And the stand out by far was the sound. I could feel my seat vibrate pretty intensely at times but not to where it was hard to understand dialogue. And the film looked beautiful. I’m definitely going back

The curse of the silver screen! Silver screens are usually used for 3D stuffs because 3D needs all the gain it can get. The biggest issue with silver screens (other than their propensity to flake and appear dirty AF) is hotspotting. Also many multiplex IMAX screens are retrofits of existing auditoriums. The surround speakers on the side of the wall are inactive, not hooked up to anything. They just leave them there from the way the auditorium used to be before they retrofitted it. The IMAX surrounds are actually the large boxes in the rear corners by the ceiling.

I go to dolby no matter what. Unless the movie im going to see isn't in dolby. Its much more comfortable, the sound is amazing, and the colors are such an upgrade.

I watched Mission Impossible yesterday in a Dolby Cinema for the first time and wow it was amazing the sounds made me look next to me sometimes because I thought it was happening in person

Congratulations on surpassing *90k subscribers* guys! Well done! 👏🏻 Not long until 100k and that coveted Silver RU-vid Play Button! 😉

Great video, Shane. I like the personal touch on this one. It’s like your sitting down and talking to us one on one. Also very informative content.

Dolby is better. Superior sound, picture and comfort. For 3D IMAX laser is the best option.

What’s up Shane. Great video, we need more of these styles of A vs. B vs. C formats of popular movies that we hope will become part of the reference demo material when the flick arrives on 4K Blu-ray. I agree with the IMAX points you raise. At my theater in Woodland Hills AMC 12, the IMAX was Laser 3D. The Black Adam trailer was great, and Thor itself was loud, extra punchy despite the lack of LFE distribution like Dolby Atmos. I give it to IMAX because of the overall sound extension of the great stereo mastered soundtrack of the movie. All the GNR and Dio throwback cuts were great in the drum pedal kicks, and the entire credit soundtrack was pleasing to watch for those Easter eggs.

The problem with IMAX is inconsistency, some have large screens while others are much smaller, Dolby is always excellent with the comfy seats, and the best surround sound.

I came to the same conclusions for the AMC in Lynnwood WA. Dolby cinema's better seats and Atmos sound mix make for a better movie watching experience compared to the mini IMAX across the hall. Visually there are pros and cons for both that mostly balance out in the end. It's been a while, but I have enjoyed the real IMAX in Seattle with its 60 foot tall screen, and I will probably head back there again for a special treat.

Dolby Cinema is usually my go-to premium format, unless the film actually has IMAX footage. Even then, I've found it not as appealing the last few years since it's usually just digital IMAX. I had the pleasure of seeing a 70mm print of Dunkirk at a "real" IMAX near me back in 2017, which was an amazing experience. The seats and Vison+Atmos you get with Dolby trumps most digital IMAX auditoriums for my money.

In my country, the IMAX theaters are only in 2k resolution at 1:90:1 aspect ratio, and are at least 4-5 dollars more expensive than the dolby theaters, but the thing is in the dolby theaters it still has a pretty big screen, a 4k projector (without dolby vision sadly) and dolby atmos with 60 speakers, 128 audio channels and 30,000 watts of power. So for 4-5 dollars cheaper you get all of that in the dolby theater. And I’m starting to consider watching almost every action/horror movie in that theater because of the dolby atmos and 4k projector.

Nice comparison video. I'm watching it from NC. You caught my attention immediately because I'm from Norwalk. Now I'm homesick. :)

There's this theater chain in Chicago called Classic Cinemas and some of their theaters offer this format called XQ with their screens being ginormous with pristine laser quality picture. It's like IMAX and Dolby mixed together

I saw alien romulus in dolby cinema and omg what an experience.

I used to live in Danbury, CT and frequently went to the AMC theater there. While I liked the IMAX screen, the Dolby Cinema is my preferred choice. The seats are more comfortable (gotta love leather reclining seats), the picture quality is better due to DV, and the audio is superior.

IMAX, The TCL Chinese theater in hollywood where I went has that 46 ft tall and 94 ft wide. It's just huge, but dolby theater behind it has the better audio

I experienced Imax some time ago in the West End, and found this (particularly on a large curved screen exceptionally immersive). Compare this to 3D on the same screen and this is nothing like it. That aside the Dolby widescreen experience unites the visual and aural into one sensational event experience, that was never too quiet and made the gain aspect high and powerful and never just loud. The original Star Wars premiere was an example. Dolby is a luxury I would opt for anytime.

From what I have come to know the best version of IMAX is the 70mm IMAX. The rest IMAX incarnations are pale in comparison. Also sitting in 3rd to 5th row in a theater ruins the soundstage in my opinion. You cannot hear the surrounds well if you sit too close to the screen. I prefer to sit somewhere in the middle.

It might be because the pickings in the Cleveland area are slim, but I've been to IMAX screens in Columbus and other cities, was well as the Regal (lie)MAX up here, and I've always found the audio experience to be of a consistent fantastic quality. So, this is surprising to me that so many on here are claiming Dolby is superior. Plus, IMAX screens are always the one place you can be sure that the projector bulb isn't being run well past its prime operational hours. And then you've got that height & clarity kick for the IMAX native scenes that look like-you-are-there, even if it's not a full size screen. I guess I have to try out a Dolby theater someday, but it's up against a tall order, to beat both IMAX and ScreenX.

If you ever find yourself in San Francisco, I highly recommend going to the IMAX at AMC Matreon 16. It maybe the best IMAX screen and IMAX laser projector in the US. I lived in San Francisco for a year in 2021 and I miss that IMAX. The one I go to here in Tempe, AZ is really good but it isn't as great as the one is San Francisco.

Saw Top Gun I Dolby cinema for the first time. I live about an hour and a half drive away from one but it was definitely worth it for a movie like that

Now I know where all the CAM versions come from. Shane the pirate 🤣

Seems you went to quite an "almost" shitty IMAX theatre. "Which is kinda said that there is so much difference in IMAX theatres" in the Netherlands we have the most updated version of IMAX. With luxury seats, 4K Laser. New and improved acoustics and also the "new" 12 track sound/speakersystem. It really is a different experience in comparison with the standard/older IMAX configuration. I prefer IMAX, but fortunately we also have Dolby Cinema which I njoy alot also. 👍🏾✌🏾

I definitely prefer Dolby Cinema, mostly because of the Dolby Vision and Atmos. I did see Thor 3 at a true IMAX Laser theater and I thought it looked great. I don't believe that IMAX theater is equipped with height speakers, so I didn't hear any sound from above.

For some reason I always get double contours in 3D in the Dolby theater nearby. Even though I sit straight to the screen. And in the Dolby I never felt the sound like I do in the IMAX Theater. It might not be as nuanced, but it shakes my body everytime there's an impact. Most noticable with the Batman, where every hit shook my stomache to the core. And in direct comparison, Dune was also way more immersive in IMAX for me. Tried the Dolby, had double contours in 3D again and the sound didn't blew me away like the IMAX did. But the problem with this conversation is probably, that even though they have quality controls with the premium screens, it's still different from cinema to cinema. Here in Germany for example, both premium screens are fairly new. IMAX being even newer than Dolby. So the quality of IMAX might be better than the average. :)

Not all Imax are created equal. Dolby, for the most, part, are very consistently comparable.

your dolby seats didnt have the rumble built in? really helps with the bass feel for sure. maybe the AMC imax screen i go to isnt super updated but yeah the audio and video quality is just better in dolby. ill see the imax when the dolby is just too full and i dont want to sit next to people basically lol

The IMAX at AMC Lincoln Square has height speakers and is a dual laser with a full 1.43 IMAX screen and I’ll always choose that over Dolby but surprisingly the Dolby in the same AMC has better bass response than the IMAX. I went to another IMAX with laser in New Jersey and that specific IMAX has insane bass response and it’s super loud. I saw Tenet in that theater and I swear my hearing was slightly muffled after walking out kind of like after a loud concert and I’ve never experienced that in any other IMAX or Dolby. I guess it really just depends on the movie and venue because my local Dolby in Port Chester has terrible bass response almost as if a sub was turned off

No way bro I’m in Dbury as well, thanks for info man the wife and I are going to see twisters tomorrow

I prefer Dolby Cinema for the sound. It is more natural and more immersive. IMAX is just loud. Not to mention the seat transducers. As for comfort, it's no comparison.

I’m pretty sure this guy is talking about Connecticut, so this helps me a lot thx

I usually go Dolby, but if the movie is filmed entirely or partially (Nope, Interstellar, and so on) in IMAX, I go IMAX and only at the AMC Lincoln SQ in NYC. It's a real IMAX auditorium at 75.6-feet tall x 101-feet wide. Also, as for the wheelchair companion seats, I think it's OK to sit there, as long as there's not someone who requires the seat. IE a companion for someone who uses a wheelchair. If someone does require those seats, you have to move. Otherwise, it's OK to use them. However, I generally don't use them if I know the showtime is going to be sold out, like opening weekend for a big blockbuster like Avatar: The Way of Water, Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania, and so on. I think you're good!

Managed to find out the size of the IMAX screen at AMC Danbury 16 and it is very small. 15.1m x 8.4m. I would not wish to pay to watch a movie on a screen that size that ‘claims’ to be IMAX. This is what many people refer to as LieMax! All IMAX venues are *NOT* the same!

For me it depends on the movie I find that I enjoy the big blockbuster movies more on IMAX. But if there isn’t any scenes with the IMAX ratio I’ll just go see it in Dolby.

Dolby Cinema has 12-bit scene-specific image and better color versus 10bit for IMAX, which is why IMAX giving up their 70mm projection for almost all their venues was a big mistake, as Roger Ebert rightly pointed out. Sounds like the IMAX you covered might have had the great SONICS DDP sound system, but they have their own 12-track system since and the theater just did not upgrade to it. IMAX can open up the picture for those few scenes, which is probably them and the studios wants you to pay at least twice to see the same movie. DTS also has a system in a few states I wish would arrive in other places with 10bit digital projection that takes their 12-track DTS:X system (their version of Atmos) and does the Pro version with 36 speakers! Hope you get to compare that to these systems at some point and maybe add a 70mm IMAX screening where available.

Most people say Dolby is better because they compare it to IMAX xenon. I actually think IMAX laser is better than Dolby.

Dolby cinema is equipped with subwoofers and IMAX theatres dont use subwoofers, just full range speakers around the box.

I must be lucky, my local AMC IMAX auditorium has the upgraded plush reclining seats, the same as the Dolby auditorium next to it.

I saw one movie in Dolby before COVID in SF. It was amazing. Sound and picture quality.

Thanks for your opinion!

I agree except with the bass thing you said at the end. All the IMAX's around me have such sucky bass. Really disappointing. Dolby has the bass shakers in the seats which help.

Dolby Cinema is impressive, but I’m always frustrated with the shallow seating angle which blocks my view of the bottom of the screen. This is especially annoying when movies have subtitles.

Dolby Cinema’s subwoofers in the seats is what really does it for me.

Honestly it's the audio that makes me ALWAYS pick Dolby CInema

I've only been to a "real-sized" IMAX at Great America amusement park in Santa Clara. The movie shown was a documentary-style short film about Speed (race cars, planes, etc.)

Great vlog thanks! What do you think is better to see Dune Part 2 in?

I say Dolby for comfort and films not shot on IMAX. But if a film is shot on IMAX or aspect ratio expanded only for IMAX then I’ll always see it that way, I usually get more into the film that way like for No Way Home, Top Gun Maverick, and even Thor Love and Thunder. I’m a type of person who care more about the filmmaking so I lean more to IMAX. Also IMAX usually have the better audience reactions due to fans wanting to see it this way if that matters to you.

Do the Dolby cinema seats vibrate?

Nice video! I do have a couple of critiques, though: A) Put a spoiler warning for the film before the video B) Isn’t it illegal to record films in theaters? C) … and then post those recordings online?

If it was shot in IMAX, preferably film IMAX, I definitely love going to the IMAX theater at my local Cinemark. I'm lucky to live right down the street from a theater with true IMAX screen, and when those scenes take up the whole screen, it is remarkable..but yeah, bass is louder than it should be at times it seems. Seats are at least upgraded to leather, not as good as the ones in Dolby though. But since most films aren't filmed in IMAX, I usually just go watch what I can in Dolby Cinema, because for everything that is not in IMAX I feel is better. Also using AMCs A list, there is no charge beyond the monthly fee.

SVS or REL , for Home Theater ? (Music and movie )

Great comparison. It seems like that I would prefer Dolby Cinema unless the movie was filmed for IMAX (like a Nolan movie). Mission Impossible was pretty awesome in Dolby.

Someone else who watched it twice back to back 🤣 No imax 70mm screen near me.... So I saw it once in imax laser. Once in) non imax) 70mm... Really liked it both times. 😊

IN lubbock we have that building size imax lol. Feels like you're going to fall into the screen.

Great video 👍 What is imax enhancement in projectors?

IMax for visual, dolby for overall experience.

Great video. I'm sure it is very valuable to people who do know the differences, and enjoyable for those of us who do.👍

Just dumping on soundtracks to make it louder to make viewers anxious. Since visual designers were praised, i hear alot of sound guys trying to get credit as well with arrogance and now we are watching good pictures with noisy sound branded by a company. So nice.

I prefer Dolby Cinema, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why anyone would sit so close to the screen. If you can see the pixels you are WAY to close. I will wait until I can get seats as close to the center of the theater as I can so the object based effects can be positioned around my head where they are intended. The Dolby Cinema I drive to is at the Alderwood Mall near Seattle. The seats in there have rotors tuned to the sub bass so you feel the sub shaking you without damaging your hearing (although the cinema is quite loud regardless).

DOLBY CINEMA is the better experience for 2D movies. IMAX 3D is great for the few 3D release

Dolby Cinema. I want the most accurate color, sharpness, contrast and brightness a nice Dolby vision picture and Dolby Atmos sound accept no substitute.

My preference is Dolby been going to it for years love the sound and picture better. The imax is just a bigger screen saw matrix resurrection on it and just liked the look and feel of Dolby cinema.

For atmos channels, does it matter if you have 2, 4, or 6 to the mix? As in, when a movie has an atmos track, how many atmos channels are active? Are all 6 always active?

Been going to imax for a while but I prefer Dolby cinema … imax just feels old screen is nice but that’s about it

question, is it possible to mix hardware. ie not use imax speakers with imax and swap with dolby. it seems that imax hasnt evolved as much as dolby has, infact it seems like they have greatly reduced its screens and hardware overall, and only got for the " wow big screen" rather than the experince

Another great video Shane!!! Thanks!!!

After both IMAX 3D for me. Avatar was far more immersive and interesting in IMAX 3D.

Go to Plainville CT AMC. They have better seats in the regular/IMAX theaters. I’m still not sure why Danbury hasn’t upgraded their seats yet it’s odd. Plainville did it 5+ years ago at this point.

I have a question. Have you experienced Cinemark XD ? There's one in North Haven. I think it's closer to Dolby Cinema than Imax .

I suggest that you seek out an "Imax with Laser" theater. The one in the Jordan's Furniture in Reading, Massachusetts has side and height speakers, buttkickers, and the largest (non-dome) screen I personally have ever seen.

Do the AMC red recliners also have the middle arm rest that folds out of the way?

Will there a Dolby vision or Dolby Cinema projector?

Superscreen is best quality, masssive screen and DOLBY ATMOS,👍

I prefer Dolby cinema in a landslide because of better picture and better sound. IMAX is more like a gimmick that is cool to try out once in a blue moon.

do you know if dolby cinema is using laser projection or regular bub if the both had lasers projection would there be a difference

Really enjoyed watching this. Thank you.

Some IMAX theaters are dual laser but I still think Dolby has the best blacks. IMAX really needs to get with the times and upgrade to reclining seats. That's definitely a deal breaker unless it's a 1570 Nolan film

IMAX Pathe Arnhem in the Netherlands is amazing, saw Dune and Top Gun Maverick, it was great!

Sitting up front must be a new thing. Maybe when I was in second grade I would sit that close.

Nice video, I've never experienced a Dolby Cinema theater so I can't compare. We do have one IMAX theater in my town so at least I've been able to enjoy that. I don't go to the theater that often but when I do, it's always at the IMAX theater.

Unfortunately because IMAX is SOOOO inconsistent between cities, it depends but basically 97% of the time I go Dolby. Seats are always terrible in IMAX and you can hear everyone lol. Most IMAX aren't even the proper true 1.4 aspect ratio so that's just a straight skip for me. Dolby Cinema's and even most up to date AMC's in general have the nice recliners AND each row (beyond handicap) are divided where you mostly or entirely cannot see the people in front or behind you. Harder to hear them talk. So overall the Dolby is just a much better experience all around.

How do you see the pixels if it’s a projector?

This video covers much of it but i think you should do a Avatar 2 video and break down all the pros and cons ( i think it will be popular). Its not just Dolby vs IMAX but also what type of projector a IMAX uses (laser or digital), i read a forbes article indicating that single laser IMAX is the way to go. Im also curious what will give the best 3D experience between Dolby and IMAX.

Hey congrats on hitting 90K

When is 2022 tv shootout coming with robert zohn??wasnt it coming on 9 july??

Wished I had a AMC that was closer to me then the one I have in the area. Plus that theater doesn't have a true IMAX ratio, so if I go there I go for the Dolby Cinema experience (but that's not often). If I'm in cities that do have a AMC theater that have both, I generally decide to see the Dolby Cinema theater (unless it's one of those huge true IMAX screens). There's one in Philly that's relatively new, and had the choice when I saw The Batman there I chose Dolby Cinema. Down here in South FL I have a Paragon Theaters that has a really nice true IMAX screen,. They just updated their Extreme theater that used to be just Dolby Atmos to have a 4K Laser projector (wished they got HDR 10+ to fight against AMC haha) and also tiled the screen 15 degrees. With big movies if they have IMAX filmed scenes, I generally go to the IMAX theater. If I really like it, I go to the Extreme theater again later (if I have nothing else to see). When I go to big movies, that's what I do. If it's just a normal movie, I go to the cheaper Cinemark in the area too.

I normally choose Dolby cinema but for Oppenheimer I had to make it to bfi imax london to see in full 70mm.

Out of all IMAX cinemas I've been in here in LA, the best is the one in universal. Dolby on the other hand is consistent almost everywhere.

What would you recommend for going to see the new Avatar movie?

Dude, those theaters are sweet.

Dolby C. The comfort and seats win out.