RPX Vs. IMAX, Which is better? Where should you enjoy your next movie? Let’s settle this once and for all.

As compared to IMAX, the RPX (Regal Premium Experience) screens are shorter in length but wider. IMAX uses a 12 channel sound system while RPX uses a 7.1 channel sound system with transducers in each seat.

You can watch any movie format at RPX, while you can only watch 3D and 2D. IMAX has curved screens enhancing image quality due to the 2K laser projection, RPX uses digital production but IMAX has better visual quality.

FeatureRPXIMAX
Sound System
  • Has a 7.1 Channel surround system. Also has low-frequency transducers in each seat.
  • Transducers may be distracting due to the harmonics but still, add to the experience.
  • Has a 12 channel surround sound system with better clarity.
  • Some IMAX cinemas use Dolby Atmos, which enhance the sound quality.
Display Screen Resolution
  • The Screen is 60 feet wide and 40 feet tall. The screen is shorter in length but wider compared to IMAX.
  • It is bigger than the 2K dual IMAX screen thus bigger aspect ratio.
  • The screen is 70-100 feet tall and 53 feet wide.
  • Aspect ratio is 1.90:1.
Infrastructure and Technology
  • Has a flat screen and uses digital projection and sound systems. The screen is wider than IMAX’s.
  • Has a curved screen running from wall to wall and ceiling to floor.
  • Uses 4K and 2K laser projectors and high-resolution cameras.
  • The curved screen assumes the shape of a dome which contributes to the amazing movie experience.
  • The seats are steep to ensure the viewer is facing the center of the screen, therefore having the immersion effect.
    Comfort
    • Highly comfortable seats with a leathery feel.
    • The seats are wider and recliners with longer backs and headrests.
    • The environment in the theatre is elegant and comfortable and contains about 150-300 seats.
    • Seats are better than regular theatres but less comfortable as compared to RPX.
    Experience
    • Has a 3D movie effect and is good for watching 3D movies.
    • You can watch any movie and any format, including IMAX movies, or you can choose between 2D and 3D.
    • Improved movie effects with high-quality visual formats.
    • Also gives 3D movies with an immersive effect which makes the audience feel like the images are approaching them.
    • IMAX is best for watching documentaries, wildlife, and nature movies. Story-oriented movies won’t be exciting at IMAX as they would at RPX.
    • The enveloping sound system makes it feel like the movie is happening In real-time.
    • The laser technology presents more descriptive and accurate images.
    • It uses a 70MM film format
    Picture QualityLess bright pictures hence soft for your eyes.You have to wear polarized glasses to reduce lighting and enhance the 3D effect.
    CostCosts a few more dollars than IMAX.Costs a little more than regular theatres.

    RPX Vs. IMAX

    RPX and IMAX are two movie formats that are really going head to head in the contemporary world, especially because they are almost similar. Choosing the right theatre can be tasking for moviegoers, especially because the movie experience is largely determined by theatre quality.

    rpx vs. imax

    IMAX is mostly known for huge screen displays and 3D formats, while RPX is mostly seen as an improved version of IMAX. Of course, choosing between the two is up to preference, but should be based on the one that gives the best movie experience, and great audio-visual quality.

    There are various parameters used to compare the two theatres. Let’s weigh the key elements of RPX Vs. IMAX.

    • The Sound System
    • Screen Display
    • Infrastructure and Technology
    • Comfort
    • Movie Experience
    • Cost

    The Sound System

    RPX cinemas have a 7.1 channel surround system. They also have low-frequency transducers installed in each seat to enhance the sound and give the theatre a more improved sound effect. IMAX on the other hand features a 12 channel surround system. Some of these speakers are overhead and all-round the hall which gives an enveloping feeling. Some IMAX cinemas also have Dolby Atmos.

    Screen Display

    IMAX screens are 70-100 feet tall and 53 feet wide. They are 40% larger than standard screens in standard theatres. The largest IMAX screen is located in Sydney, Australia, and measures 177.6 x 97 feet. RPX screens are much larger than 2K dual IMAX screens and measure 40×60 feet. Compared to IMAX, it is wider but shorter. RPX’s aspect ratio is larger than that of IMAX.

    Infrastructure and Technology

    RPX cinemas use cutting-edge technology in their theatres. They feature digital projectors and sound systems. Image quality is almost synonymous with IMAX but has a larger aspect ratio.

    IMAX on the other hand features curved screens which assume a dome shape. This structure creates an illusion of a 3D appearance. They also use 2K and 4K dual projectors with very high-resolution cameras. The images at IMAX project both horizontally and vertically. The seats are steep and placed at a higher place to optimize the movie experience.

    Comfort

    Comfort can be gauged in terms of the general feel of the hall, the seats, and the ambiance of the theatre in general. IMAX has better seats than standard theatres but cannot compare with RPX. RPX has leathery recliner seats with headrests and adjustable armrests. The general feel of the theatre is elegant and comfortable.

    Movie Experience

    The greatest feature that contributes to the experience at IMAX is the immersive effect. The huge curved screens, the enveloping sound system, and the seats’ positioning make the viewer feel like they are in the film themselves. IMAX with laser also gives better image quality and descriptive images which add to the experience. IMAX also employs its own 70MM film format which creates amazing, detailed pictures.

    RPX intends to provide enhanced image quality and better sound with the installation of the transducers.

    Cost

    RPX tickets cost a little more than IMAX. IMAX tickets cost a few more dollars than regular tickets at standard movie theatres. The price of the tickets is subject to the ‘premium experience’ both formats offer.

    What Is RPX Movie Theater?

    Regal Premium Experience (RPX), is a projection technology that allows movie theatres to show movies in 2D and 3D, or IMAX formats. The high end- big screens have better picture quality and surround sound, which makes the movie experience to be more of a ‘premium experience’.

    The technology uses laser light to create brighter and more descriptive colors on the screen, which alternately provides a crispier image. Movie theatres with RPX are perfect for watching documentaries, action movies, or films with great visuals. The RPX technology is available in big cinemas such as Regal and Cinemark. The ticket to an RPX theatre will cost you a few dollars more but it’s definitely worth it.

    What Is IMAX Movie Theater?

    IMAX film technology consists of cameras, film projectors, wide screens, and specially designed theatres that work together to make an IMAX movie spectacular. The screens for starters form a dome shape, which almost covers the entire theatre, making the viewers feel totally immersed in the movie. IMAX uses dual digital projectors with a resolution of 2K each, which is equivalent to 4K resolution.

    The Sound at IMAX is a fully immersive 12.1 channel with 15000-watt speakers that give a more powerful output and clear sound. The theatre’s design makes the sound travel through the auditorium. The film size is 10 times that of standard quality making the visuals incredibly clear.

    Best Movies To Watch In RPX Theater

    You can watch almost all movie formats at RPX, that is, RealD 3D, 2D, or even IMAX movies. If you want to watch movies in 3D, RPX is your best bet. The pictures are softer for your eyes since they are not too bright.

    Unlike with IMAX, you do not have to wear polarized glasses to enhance the 3D effect. Romantic movies such as The Notebook would be best suited to watch in an RPX movie theatre.

    With how the theatre is set up, chairs a bit far out from the screens, it allows you to be immersed in the storyline and dialogues without being distracted by sudden sound effects.

    Long movies, 2 hours long or more, are better to watch at RPX because the seats are more comfortable. They have recliner seats with headrests and extended backs, which makes it really comfortable to watch a long movie, without getting backaches or neck aches.

    RPX also shows IMAX films, so you can get the best of both worlds in one sitting. Horror movies would also be a delight because of the surround sound system at RPX. Avatar, Black Panther, Spiderman, etc, would be such a great experience if viewed in RPX movie theatre.

    Best Movies To Watch In IMAX Theater

    IMAX is best for action movies and 2D movies. Action movies would really benefit from the heavy bass and the massive screen at IMAX, especially if filmed in IMAX format. One such great movie is Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol, which was partially filmed with IMAX cameras.

    The Burji Khalifa scene was so iconic, if seen in an IMAX theatre, am sure it would spark some realness for the viewer with the immersion effect the format gives. IMAX is also perfect for nature and wildlife documentaries because there are images that are more descriptive and the audience can see more details than they would at a standard theatre.

    The 12 channel surround sound system at IMAX, intensifies the immersion effect since the sound is a lot clearer, therefore you are able to hear the movie effects more clearly.

    Imagine the sound being so clear, such that an explosion on Godzilla would feel like it’s happening right next to you! Some IMAX cinemas also have Dolby Atmos, which is a more advanced surround system- therefore making the sound quality even better.

    2D movies also do well at IMAX because it has better picture quality and has technology such as IMAX with laser and also employs their own 70MM technology, therefore your movie experience can only get better at IMAX.

    Other Remarkable Theater Technologies

    • 70MM Theater Technology
    • Digital IMAX/IMAX with Laser (Branded IMAX)
    • RealD 3D
    • PRIME at AMC
    • Cinemark XD
    • Dolby Cinema at AMC
    • BigD at AMC
    • 4DX
    • D-BOX
    • ScreenX
    • VOID

    70MM Theater Technology

    The 70MM Theater Technology is a film format that is a wide, high-resolution film gauge that projects more details than a standard 35MM. IMAX has its own version of 70MM film which means using a frame that is 15 perforations wider than regular 70MM film, which creates much better images. RPX on the other hand does not employ the 70MM film format, which makes IMAX superior in this stance.

    Read my guide on IMAX vs. Standard here.

    Digital IMAX/IMAX with Laser (Branded IMAX)

    Standard Digital IMAX uses 2K projection with xenon lamps while IMAX with Laser uses 4K and has a laser light source. IMAX uses 4K and 2K laser projectors which allow for more color contrast while RPX also uses digital sound systems and projectors so the audio-visual quality may be the same as IMAX, the only difference being the aspect ratio. IMAX with Laser is a step further in terms of audio visual quality compared to RPX.

    RealD 3D

    RealD 3D technology is a digital stereoscopic image projection technology used for watching 3D films in theatres. IMAX shows movies in 3D and seems to be of better audio quality because it is uncompressed, but RPX shows movies in 2D, RealD 3D, and other movie formats. The 3D pictures at RPX are softer for the eyes unlike at IMAX, where one has to wear polarized glasses to enhance the 3D effect.

    PRIME at AMC

    Prime at AMC consists of large screens with Dolby Atmos and recliners with mounted subwoofers. The Dolby Atmos at AMC makes all the difference with the sound quality because of the additional speakers surrounding the viewer. RPX and IMAX also have surround sound, but Dolby Atmos and IMAX with laser are the premium.

    Cinemark XD

    Cinemark XD Theater Technology is a digital stereoscopic projection of 3D scenes on bigger screens. It also uses 4K laser projectors. Cinemark XD and RPX can play movies in any format, unlike IMAX. Cinemark XD have much better visual quality compared to IMAX and RPX because of the bigger and brighter screens. Cinemark XD also has better audio quality because of the improved sound system.

    Dolby Cinema at AMC

    Dolby Cinema combines both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision to provide the best movie experience at AMC theatres. It also has a signature entrance and intrinsic design feature. Picture quality at Dolby Cinema is sharper and crispier compared to IMAX and RPX. The Sound quality is made better by the Dolby Atmos, even though both RPX and IMAX have considerably good sound quality, Dolby Cinema takes the lead on this one.

    Here’s my comparison of Dolby Cinema vs IMAX.

    BigD at AMC

    BigD is a large screen format that uses 70-foot screens and stadium seating with removable armrests. The format is more of 3D and is only found at AMC classics. Both RPX and IMAX give 3D movie effects but IMAX’s is made better by the immersion effect it has. The sound quality at IMAX is also much better than BigD and RPX.

    4DX

    4DX technology is a 4D film format that allows films to be presented in stereoscopic 3D and Monoscopic 2D formats. 4DX presents practical effects such as simulated snow, wind, lights, etc. This is a feature unique to 4DX, RPX and IMAX do Present 3D effects with an immersion feeling, but the immersion with 4DX is a little more advanced, which some people find can be distracting.

    Check out this cool 4DX Vs. IMAX comparison.

    D-BOX

    D-BOX technology allows you to control the intensity of the seat movements during the movie. It has 4 levels of intensity, which gives a hyper-realistic experience. The D-BOX technology is a different type of immersion effect that RPX and IMAX simply do not have. Whether the technology is better is subject to preference. If you like motion in your seats as you watch your movie, it may be worthwhile.

    ScreenX

    ScreenX is a panoramic film format in which films are projected on the walls of a theater using extended, dual-sided, 270-degree screens. ScreenX is considered a sideways version of IMAX. For a film to show using ScreenX, it has to be shot or edited to this format. They all have an immersion effect, however, IMAX is much better than ScreenX or RPX. With ScreenX, the images are not seamless as compared to IMAX.

    VOID

    The VOID Theatre Technology uses aspects of virtual reality and hepatic feedback to present a unique movie experience. The hyper-reality feel is the main difference when compared to RPX and IMAX as the last two formats do not provide this level of immersion. For people who want a more immersive-almost-reality feel of a movie, the VOID technology is better.

    FAQ

    So which is better between RPX vs. IMAX? RPX is better suited for RealD 3D movies. However, they show movies in any format including IMAX format. IMAX is better suited for scenic and action movies or nature documentaries. Story-oriented movies and romantic movies wouldn’t do well at IMAX since they are more focused on dialogues and scenes than the scenery and action. However, if you were to choose between RPX and IMAX for 2D, IMAX is much better as it offers better audio-visual quality.

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