HiRez Poll Seal - SEAL (1991 album) [Blu-ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[rtbluray]

Please post your thoughts and comments on this brand new reissue of the debut album by Seal.
This new reissue on Blu-ray Audio disc from Rhino records contains the original stereo mix, the 5.1 surround mix previously available on DVDA-V, and a brand new Dolby Atmos mix.

 

[kap'n krunch]

yup, MIster Horn slipped into ATMOS mode...I never doubted him for a second...
All kinds of perfectly balanced goodies goin on...as it should be...

 

[beerking]

I found that, although Trevor Horn is getting to grips with Atmos mixing, this still has tracks where there is room for improvement.
He clearly has his favourite track 'Crazy' where he really has gone to town on the mix.
9

 

[GabeL]

I'm a bit surprised that more people haven't posted reviews on this release. Perhaps everyone is holding off on purchasing it, like me, awaiting more information on the mix

 

[Dynamic Editor]

I feel like I'm hearing a lot more action on this Atmos mix than the Atmos mix for his second album. I don't have Atmos speakers, so does anyone else feel this way, or is it just me?

Listening in 7.1, for reference.

 

[izgoblin]

I'm a bit surprised that more people haven't posted reviews on this release. Perhaps everyone is holding off on purchasing it, like me, awaiting more information on the mix

I waited a bit myself to hear reviews before placing my order, but given how much I love the album, I figured I'd better give it a go. It should be here soon....

 

[gvl_guy]

I have the DVD already and, since I don't have an Atmos system, it's almost silly for me to buy it. But, I've seen that DVD selling for $100+ on Discogs and eBay at times. Might be worth me selling and picking up a $25 Blu-ray. (Although I can't imagine sellers getting that kind of $$ for the DVD now that this has been released.)
Is the 5.1 on the Blu-ray the same as the one in the DVD?

 

[Dynamic Editor]

I have the DVD already and, since I don't have an Atmos system, it's almost silly for me to buy it.

Is the 5.1 on the Blu-ray the same as the one in the DVD?

The Atmos mix of this debut of Seal's sounds better on my 7.1 system than the 5.1 mix. The opposite I'd say is the case for his second album. The Atmos mixes of both are not simply "expansions" of the 5.1 mixes, but entirely new mixes in their own right, so you'll be getting a new experience even in 5.1.

That being said, I'm not certain that the 5.1 mix is the same as the original 5.1 mix, but I'd imagine it is. (I don't have the DVD-A release.)

 

[dobyblue]

Quick audition of Seal I just now (thanks Purolator!), listened to Crazy, Killer and Violet and that's enough for me to rate it 10/10 just on the Atmos mix, really enveloping and enjoyable, Killer is brilliant. Can't wait to listen all the way through.

 

[SharpKnight]

So this Atmos mix was Apple Music only I remember reading about it in an article. Perhaps it was on SDE website, that how the second album is actually coming out on a Blu-Ray. So I was relieved I hadn't missed out on the limited SDE series when Seal I came out. It is now that they're actually releasing it. Mine's on preorder.

 

[Quad70s]

The Atmos mix of this debut of Seal's sounds better on my 7.1 system than the 5.1 mix. The opposite I'd say is the case for his second album. The Atmos mixes of both are not simply "expansions" of the 5.1 mixes, but entirely new mixes in their own right, so you'll be getting a new experience even in 5.1.

That being said, I'm not certain that the 5.1 mix is the same as the original 5.1 mix, but I'd imagine it is. (I don't have the DVD-A release.)

I love both this album and the second album and I have both of the DVD-Audios. I cant work out whether its worth getting these. Blurays

I don't have an Atmos set-up, and I'm not likely to acquire one. I have a 5.0/4.0 setup. I note above the Atmos mixes are entirely new, and so in my case I would be listening to a fold down. I suppose it depends on the general consensus whether the mix is better than the 5.1

The "hi-res" stereo mix is apparently 24/48 instead of the indicated 24/96 for both albums. The DVD-Audios were 24/88.2, not that a higher bit rate alone indicates superior audio quality,

 

[Dynamic Editor]

I love both this album and the second album and I have both of the DVD-Audios. I cant work out whether its worth getting these. Blurays

I don't have an Atmos set-up, and I'm not likely to acquire one. I have a 5.0/4.0 setup. I note above the Atmos mixes are entirely new, and so in my case I would be listening to a fold down. I suppose it depends on the general consensus whether the mix is better than the 5.1

The "hi-res" stereo mix is apparently 24/48 instead of the indicated 24/96 for both albums. The DVD-Audios were 24/88.2, not that a higher bit rate alone indicates superior audio quality,

Again, I believe the fold-down of this Atmos mix on my 7.1 system is better than the 5.1 mix.

 

[GabeL]

Now available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seal-Blu-ray...12-92a6-265ffdf61955&pd_rd_i=B0DH63KYKP&psc=1

 

[izgoblin]

This one is an 8 for me.

First off, I've loved this album since it came out. Content couldn't be better IMO. This album came out at a time when I really had no interest in modern popular rock music. Whereas there were a few other artists that had great songs, I'd buy their album and find most everything besides the single to be a disappointment. This was not the case with Seal.

To be fair, I don't have an Atmos setup, so I listened to the Atmos mix in 5.1. I also listened to the 5.1 mix separately, which I can only assume was the one previously released (which somehow I missed before).

Atmos mix: From the opening of The Beginning, I thought, "YES!!" This is a great way to hear this album. The mix is certainly immersive with all channels active. Soon I started wishing the vocals were more in the FL and FR channels instead of the center channel (though maybe this works better on an Atmos setup). Then after some time, I started getting a little fatigued by apparent compression in the mix. My room for 5.1 listening is pretty dead, so mixes have to be on the bright side or too compressed for medium-to-high volumes to bug me. I wouldn't say the compression was awful, but the mix was noticeably not dynamic in places where it should be. "Deep Water", for example, starts off with an acoustic bit, and when the band comes in, it should be louder. But it really isn't. There are other places where parts that had bigger bass or were louder seemed to be toned down in this mix (why is "Killer" not as 'heavy' sounding as before??). Overall, it's a neat alternate listen, but I had some nitpicks about Horn's choices here (overdoing reverb on lead vocals, as one example). What I really wanted was something that took the elements in the more common stereo mix and made them fully immersive. Instead, there are parts that are just a little too alternate for me. That said, I'll certainly return to it, despite these minor complaints.

I found the 5.1 mix less preferable compared with the Atmos. I didn't make as many mental notes on that one, I'm afraid.

Still, don't get me wrong, given the price, I'm happy enough with this release. Seal's later and softer more adult-contemporary style isn't really my thing, but after - oh my! - 30+ years, I still love this album.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

Now available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seal-Blu-ray...12-92a6-265ffdf61955&pd_rd_i=B0DH63KYKP&psc=1

Just so people know... GabeL's Amazon link is for Seal's second '1994' album.

Forum links: -
https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...second-album-blu-ray-audio-dolby-atmos.36177/
https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...eluxe-edition-with-new-dolby-atmos-mix.35856/

 

[GabeL]

Just so people know... GabeL's Amazon link is for Seal's second '1994' album.

Forum link: https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/fo...second-album-blu-ray-audio-dolby-atmos.36177/

When I click on the link I provided, it takes me to Seal's first album.

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

When I click on the link I provided, it takes me to Seal's first album.

Oh wow yes... I have just found this link to the first '1991' album: https://www.amazon.com/Seal-Blu-ray-Audio/dp/B0DH63KYKP/. Which should be Amazon product number: B0DH63KYKP

 

[SeeMoreDigital]

But for some reason when I click on your link it takes me to Amazon product number: B0D1SCVM3P which is the second '1994' album!

Amazon has a mind of its own!

 

[GabeL]

But for some reason when I click on your link it takes me to Amazon product number: B0D1SCVM3P which is the second '1994' album!

Amazon has a mind of its own!

Weird, maybe it is a USA vs UK thing?? Glad you found it

 

[MisterMe]

I also listened to the 5.1 mix separately, which I can only assume was the one previously released (which somehow I missed before).

Hi,
for your (and everyone's) information, the 5.1 on this blu-ray (mixed by Trevor Horn) is not the same as the one from the 2005 DVD-Audio (mixed by Tim Weidner)