You have more options than ever for watching movies, and if you’re going to see the movies you really want, you’ll want to choose the best option. We’re looking at two different formats today to see which one is best (RPX vs IMAX). We’ll compare their differences to help you understand which will be the best deal for you the next time you go to the theater.
Today, people don’t go to the theater as much as they used to, and they’re more selective about what they go to see. If you go to the theater to see a movie in a premium format like IMAX or RPX, you’ll want to know what makes one viewing better than another. We’ll give you that with a comparison.
Bigger Is Better? Screen Size
Perhaps the easiest way to compare different viewing systems like RPX vs. IMAX is size. It’s understandable that you’d want to see the movie on the biggest screen possible, so how do these two compare?
Screen sizes will vary depending on your location and the specific IMAX or RPX location you’re visiting. RPX screens are typically 40 feet by 60 feet. IMAX screens are typically 52×70 feet. Of course, there are some even bigger than that. No matter which of these viewings you go with, you’re getting a bigger screen than your typical video game.
RPX screens are a little smaller than IMAX in many cases, and this gives you a different aspect ratio.
Are You Comfortable?- Seating
If you’re going to experience a prestigious movie, expect to be comfortable. How do the seating arrangements compare between Regal’s RPX and IMAX theaters?
Regal Cinemas calls its RPX brand experience. After all, that’s what the P and X stand for. The best-looking environment is designed and built with luxury in mind. You get expensive seats with high back headrests. The seats are soft and hard.
IMAX theaters are known for their comfortable seats, and although they are luxurious, they still can’t match what RPX has to offer. The RPX mode is designed to be a step or two above IMAX when it comes to comfort levels.
Some people may find it difficult to get in and out of their seats due to the short aisle distances in RPX theaters. Larger people and those with a lot of things to watch may find space limited.
Can You Hear the Difference? RPX vs IMAX
This is where IMAX is clearly the better choice. IMAX has 12 channels of sound quality, while RPX gives you 7.1 channel surround sound with speakers built into the seats. It’s still the best, but it can’t match what IMAX has to offer.
You’ll want to think about the quality of the videos you watch. If you’re an audiophile, IMAX is best for RPX, but you’ll still get a great experience from Regal’s offering. Both offer better sound than what you’ll get from your cinema.
You should be aware that the sound in the table you get with RPX can be slightly distorted. Seat harmonics can cause vibrations that can be annoying or unpleasant. Some people will love the extra experience, and others will feel that it pulls them out of the movie. This aspect of watching movies for RPX vs IMAX will likely depend on personal preference.
How Does It Look?- Video Quality
One of the main things that will sell people on one type of cinema over another is the quality of the pictures. We constantly hear the words video quality and terms like “4K” and “high fidelity”. Cinemas have been saying for a long time that they will give you the best picture that will make the audience connect with the movie. When it comes to RPX vs IMAX, which is better?
If you are watching movies in 3D, which is not as good as before, then RPX is a slightly better experience. It will not be as heavy on your eyes. However, the picture may not be as bright. You may experience this problem when watching 3D movies in theaters. The picture simply looks dark, which helps with the 3D effect but makes the picture hard to see.
What if you don’t watch 3D movies and only go to one of these movies for 2D movies? Which format gives a better picture? IMAX puts you closer to the screen, which can make it feel like it has a better picture, but that will depend partly on your viewing preferences and your own vision.
RPX pulls you back from the screen a bit, but as far as picture quality goes, it’s just as good as what IMAX has to offer. Generally speaking, for standard video viewing you shouldn’t notice much of a difference between the two formats. The difference is more obvious for 3D movies or other things that are more familiar, but for most movies, both types of viewing are similar in terms of image quality.
How Much Will It Cost Me?
The last aspect we want to consider is the cost of going to RPX vs. IMAX theaters (see TripAdvisor). They are two of the best video games, so they both cost more than your initial price. IMAX is already expensive, but RPX can cost a little more.
IMAX is around $20 on average, although you get different prices for adults and children. RPX prices, on average, $18-$21. The prices are about the same, so the difference is negligible in most cases. Probably, if you pay for a child or an adult, the cheapest you’ll pay for an RPX ticket is $16. IMAX tickets are the same for groups, but prices vary from location to location.
Because RPX is a newer brand, some shows seem like they can get away with paying more for it. However, both formats are considered premium, and you pay a premium for them.
Which One to Choose? RPX vs IMAX
Hopefully, we can cover everything that’s important to you when it comes to your approach. Maybe you’ve tried IMAX before and you’re looking to see if RPX is a step up. According to Reddit, the only major difference for most people will be in the seats, as you have different tables for RPX that are designed for higher performance, even easier to get into than IMAX.
However, if you’re satisfied with the seats you get in an IMAX theater, there’s no real incentive to try out the RPX mode. You may find RPX a bit distracting due to how hard the seats can be and the feel in the seats. For people who go to the cinema often, it may be worth trying something different for the experience, but as you can see, the difference between the two types is small.
Conclusion:
IMAX and RPX are both premium video formats that are creative but very different. While RPX is about comfortable seats and great sound, IMAX is about beautiful visuals and a great sound experience throughout the entire theater.
In short, RPX may be better than a traditional theater, but it falls a bit behind the amazing technology of IMAX.
If you like luxury, RPX wins; but if you like a great movie experience, IMAX will be the winner.
