Meyer Sound Laboratories, Inc.

To take the movie-going experience to a whole new level, Seattle's legendary Cinerama Theatre has been completely revamped with some of most advanced cinema technology available today. The 570-seat theatre—owned by Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft—is now equipped with the largest Meyer Sound cinema system ever installed, Dolby Atmos, and the first Christie 6P laser projector in a commercial theatre.

"Cinerama has been a cornerstone of Seattle's arts and culture history for 50 years and I'm proud to continue its legacy," says Allen. "The enhanced Cinerama utilizes the most advanced technology, while maintaining the nostalgia many of us share for this theatre, creating an unparalleled cinema experience for the community."

The local media has noticed the precision and impact of the Meyer Sound loudspeakers in supporting the Dolby Atmos format. "We heard the sound of a bird flying counter-clockwise around the entire theatre," writes Britt Thorson for Seattle Refined. "I could articulately and specifically hear as the flapping of the bird's wings passed each speaker and moved on to the next, even though we never actually saw the bird on the screen."

Cinerama has invested in 110 Meyer Sound loudspeakers to ensure a fully immersive experience for its patrons. Behind the movie screen, five Acheron 100 screen channel loudspeakers are each paired with an Acheron LF to support five audio channels, while 10 X-800C high-power cinema subwoofers anchor low-frequency effects. Arrayed along the ceiling and walls are four of the new, high-power HMS-15AC surround loudspeakers and other models with IntelligentDC technology, including 26 HMS-10, 18 HMS-12, and 18 HMS-5 surround loudspeakers. Fourteen UP-4XP loudspeakers with IntelligentDC technology are used for underbalcony fill, and six 500-HP and four UMS-1XP subwoofers deliver surround low-frequency extension. A Galileo loudspeaker management system with one Galileo 616 processor provides system drive and alignment for screen and LFE loudspeakers.

The system was provided by Portland, Ore.-based American Cinema Equipment, with Ron Lagerlof of Los Angeles-based Visioneering Design Co. serving as audio consultant. Architectural acoustics were designed by Studio 440 of Hollywood, Calif.

Additional upgrades include a new Matt Plus screen by Harkness, new wider and premium seating options, and added concessions.

One of only three movie theatres in the world still capable of showing three-panel Cinerama films, Cinerama can show movies in all formats, including 3D and the classic 35mm and 70mm. It has been regularly voted as one of Seattle's "best places to watch a movie" and hosts various film festivals and blockbuster film premieres each year, including the annual Science Fiction Film Festival and Horror Film Festival.