• Please note that Audiokarma will be offline briefly for updates early on Monday morning, September 28th.

Audio Systems in Movies... What is it?

now.spinnin

now.spinnin

New Member
I find a lot of pleasure in noticing audio systems in movies. Sometimes they are easy to spot or are a key plot point, but sometimes they are just spotted somewhere in the frame... a deliberate set piece, but only noticeable to those with an eye for it. I recently spotted one of the latter.
In the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (recent Ben Stiller work not the older Danny Kaye film), I spotted the titular hero sported a nice audio system in his apartment. It is in the opening scenes of the movie, and are never in focus. It is obvious a lot of thought went into system and it's layout as it was placed deliberately in the frame, but the camera never pans closer or focuses on any piece.
I'm sure this is a shot in the dark, but curious if anyone has any ideas of any of the pieces of equipment? Obviously great care went into selecting it. Kudos to anyone who can identify them! Pic below. Like I said... they are always not in focus. Good luck!

P.S. I found the soundtrack quite stellar ;)
 

Attachments

  • waltermitty.jpg
    waltermitty.jpg
    66.3 KB · Views: 286
Register to hide this ad
Dazaa said:
Amp is a Technics SU-8088K, quite rare in silver. Tape deck is also technics, I forgot the model. Turntable looks like an SL DL1
Click to expand...
Seriously impressed you recognized this. I'm guessing you're right about the turntable since the other two items are technics. They add a lot of 'depth' to the character... without saying anything.
 
now.spinnin said:
I will definitely need to rewatch. I think I remember a McIntosh unit in the show. Can't seem to find it available to stream anywhere. Now I'm curious!
Click to expand...

Here ya go

The highlight of this action thriller remake is the central character's hi-fi system: a beautifully displayed Pro-Ject RPM 9.2 Evolution turntable, complete with a McIntosh C22 Reissue preamp, Jolida 502BRC valve amplifier and Pinnacle BD 1000 Tower speakers.

Jason Statham delicately handles the vinyl, lovingly puts the clamp on and gently guides the needle in position - it's his pride and joy.

BE88FFEC-7311-4A64-BB40-6C55E1D6C31F.jpeg
 
I like that scene in "Oblivion" where Tom Cruise goes to his secret cabin and cranks "Ramble On". I think it's a low-grade 70's Panasonic all-in-one unit with those wonderfully tacky sliders on the face. One of the best scenes in the movie, due to the Zep factor.
 
I'd like to hear the speaker setup in The Cable Guy but I doubt I'd want to live with it for long. It looks like a big JBL setup and I can't find a clear enough shot to see the other equipment details. That "large screen tv" is very 1996.

The Cable Guy speaker setup.jpg
 
Rick Dalton's Marantz Receiver and Akai R-to-R at the end of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Never saw any speakers.
 
now.spinnin said:
I find a lot of pleasure in noticing audio systems in movies. Sometimes they are easy to spot or are a key plot point, but sometimes they are just spotted somewhere in the frame... a deliberate set piece, but only noticeable to those with an eye for it. I recently spotted one of the latter.
In the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (recent Ben Stiller work not the older Danny Kaye film), I spotted the titular hero sported a nice audio system in his apartment. It is in the opening scenes of the movie, and are never in focus. It is obvious a lot of thought went into system and it's layout as it was placed deliberately in the frame, but the camera never pans closer or focuses on any piece.
I'm sure this is a shot in the dark, but curious if anyone has any ideas of any of the pieces of equipment? Obviously great care went into selecting it. Kudos to anyone who can identify them! Pic below. Like I said... they are always not in focus. Good luck!

P.S. I found the soundtrack quite stellar ;)
Click to expand...

My guess: HK of some sort. Likely late 1980's.
 
Though not movies I watch a lot of Korean Drama's and those Drama's with Rich conglomerate families have hi fi audio gear displayed especially speakers.
 
Not sure exactly what it is, but noticed this TT during the NASA channel's Mars lander coverage.

Looks like a quartz or granite plinth.

20210219_213439.jpg
 
YY1 said:
Not sure exactly what it is, but noticed this TT during the NASA channel's Mars lander coverage.

Looks like a quartz or granite plinth.
Click to expand...

That actually looks like an entry-level U-Turn Orbit with the cheap stock AT cart (AT91B)

https://uturnaudio.com/pages/turntables

The configuration in the screenshot looks like the $179 base model.

100WTMATB.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom