Dolby Pro Logic IIz questions

[Triggerhappy]

Hey all,

I have been receiving help from a number of members in the Forum around basic 5.1 set-up and room treatments that are appropriate for my HT(Thanks Big Daddy and Jamori!). I have a question about Dolby Pro Logic IIz.

Honestly, before I got my new amp (Yamaha RX-V667) which started the snowball into new center (Polk CSiA4), rear surrounds (Bipolar Polk FXi3) and a new sub (Polk PSW505) to match my Polk RTi70 fronts, I didn't even no what Pro Logic IIz was.

Question 1) does it make that much of a difference for movies for a 5.1 set-up?

Question 2) For full effect does the speakers need to be above the viewing screen or just above the listening position (check out my Home Theatre pics as there is no room above the screen)?

Question 3) Do the front presence speakers need to be timber matched to the fronts.

Question 4) Should front presence speakers be the same size as the rears or can I get away with a smaller pair?

Question 5) I am assuming that directional speakers work best?

Thanks!

[Triggerhappy]

Never mind, the amp only supports Pro Logic IIx...

[LordoftheRings]

Ahhhh, what a drag! ...Time for a new receiver perhaps?

[acritzer]

I'll give you a couple answers even though you don't have it right now.

Originally Posted by Triggerhappy

Hey all,

I have been receiving help from a number of members in the Forum around basic 5.1 set-up and room treatments that are appropriate for my HT(Thanks Big Daddy and Jamori!). I have a question about Dolby Pro Logic IIz.

Honestly, before I got my new amp (Yamaha RX-V667) which started the snowball into new center (Polk CSiA4), rear surrounds (Bipolar Polk FXi3) and a new sub (Polk PSW505) to match my Polk RTi70 fronts, I didn't even no what Pro Logic IIz was.

Question 1) does it make that much of a difference for movies for a 5.1 set-up?

The amount of difference it makes largely depends on the type of movie you're watching. Stuff with rain sounds really cool, aircraft, gunplay, etc. all sound really nice.
Question 2) For full effect does the speakers need to be above the viewing screen or just above the listening position (check out my Home Theatre pics as there is no room above the screen)?

The higher they are the better (or the more distance from the fronts might be a better way to put it) Also they should be a bit outside the L/R.

Question 3) Do the front presence speakers need to be timber matched to the fronts.

Not really, same kind of rules as surrounds. It'd be nice to have everything match, but since they are only used a bit here and there it's not a huge problem if they don't.
Question 4) Should front presence speakers be the same size as the rears or can I get away with a smaller pair?

Again, doesn't really make a huge difference since it's ambient sound.

Question 5) I am assuming that directional speakers work best?

Haven't heard anyone that uses dipole/bipole so not really sure.
Thanks!

[Triggerhappy]

Originally Posted by acritzer

I'll give you a couple answers even though you don't have it right now.

Thanks, it turns out that while the Yamaha 667 doesn't support IIz, Yamaha does have its own proprietary CinemaDSP which is a similar concept.

The biggest advantage for me might be the "dialogue lift..." which is supposed to lift the dialogue to the centre of the screen. Maybe worth a try given my set-up..

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by Triggerhappy

Thanks, it turns out that while the Yamaha 667 doesn't support IIz, Yamaha does have its own proprietary CinemaDSP which is a similar concept.

The biggest advantage for me might be the "dialogue lift..." which is supposed to lift the dialogue to the centre of the screen. Maybe worth a try given my set-up..

Yup, the Front "Presence" channel speakers will contain some information from your Center channel speaker (give it a "dialog lift" incidentally)!
...Could be OK for people having a large screen with a lower positioned Center channel speaker. Try it out and see (hear) if you like it, or not.

* TIP: With some CDs that are from the Jazz genre, try DSP Music "Jazz Club".
...Used to be my favorite one (with those two Front "Presence" speakers).

And some DSP Movie modes for flicks like Science Fiction type, could also be fun.

[Triggerhappy]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

Yup, the Front "Presence" channel speakers will contain some information from your Center channel speaker (give it a "dialog lift" incidentally)!
...Could be OK for people having a large screen with a lower positioned Center channel speaker. Try it out and see (hear) if you like it, or not.

* TIP: With some CDs that are from the Jazz genre, try DSP Music "Jazz Club".
...Used to be my favorite one (with those two Front "Presence" speakers).

And some DSP Movie modes for flicks like Science Fiction type, could also be fun.

OK Thanks, Again. I think I will give it a try...I have a line on a good pair of RTi4s for $125 or so. These would be a good match to my Fronts and center channel... Worse-case I can use them as sides in a 7.1 set-up.