Ozark-based SLS Audio last week installed Dolby Laboratories Inc.’s 3-D sound technology at the Wehrenberg Campbell 16 Cine.
The project is SLS’ first local job for Dolby since being purchased by the San Francisco-based company a year and a half ago. The 26-employee SLS now operates as the research and development division of Dolby’s Cinema Business Group.
SLS President John Gott said the system added inside Campbell 16’s No. 8 auditorium is the first in the Springfield area to carry the Atmos technology, which is designed to provide an immersive experience via surround sound augmented by additional subwoofers and overhead speakers.
“It makes you completely incapsulated in the sound,” Gott said, noting, for example, a plane traveling in a film would project the moving sound to theatergoers via overhead speakers.
Campbell 16 debuted the technology during its Friday showing of “The Divergent Series: Allegiant.” Upcoming Atmos theater films include “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Captain America: Civil War.” Tickets for the Atmos theater cost an additional $1.
Gott declined to disclose Wehrenberg’s investment in the 37.2-channel system. Wehrenberg spokeswoman Kelly Hoskins could not be reached for comment by deadline.
In the December article, "
With Dolby behind it, SLS goes big on sound,” Springfield Business Journal reported the system costs roughly $100,000-$150,000 per screen. Since the Wehrenberg project was an upgrade rather than a from-the-ground-up install, Gott said the cost was less.
In a news release, Wehrenberg said the upgrade more than doubled the number of speakers in the auditorium. For each of the 37 channels, Gott said, there are around three speakers, and they cover all sides of the theater.
Campbell 16 is now one of over 1,000 theaters with Atmos installed, Gott said.
