Does your BDs/DVDs sounds better than your CDs on your HT?

[icyteddy]

When I play any blu ray or dvds, my HT sounds awesome! Lossless or lossy sound, Clarity, sharpness and bass. Everything a movies should sound like. BUT when I pop in a regular CD, it seems to lack the sound when compare to the movies. I tried different cds but it lacks the extra bass or ummpp of the movies. But when I play the cd in my car stereo system, the bass is very strong. Any thoughts?

[un4gvn94538]

thoughts? im thinking you system in your car is made to go boom

dvd and blu rays have that .1 in the audio for the powered sub, cds dont. but you can fiddle with your receiver to get it to work.

[Johk]

Are you playing your CDs through your PS3?

On my part, I don't really like how stereo music (CDs and mp3) is handled by the PS3 via HDMI, it seems like it always outputs on all channels (with the other channels blank except for the L/R front, refer to this thread on AVS). It prevents from using the subwoofer to handle bass duties on stereo tracks.

Right now to play CDs/digital music, I stream it with an airport express (since I don't have a dedicated CD player in my setup). It works really nice and I can use the sub and it has all the "ummpp" you want (depending on the track of course!).

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by Johk

Are you playing your CDs through your PS3?

On my part, I don't really like how stereo music (CDs and mp3) is handled by the PS3 via HDMI, it seems like it always outputs on all channels (with the other channels blank except for the L/R front, refer to this thread on AVS). It prevents from using the subwoofer to handle bass duties on stereo tracks.

Right now to play CDs/digital music, I stream it with an airport express (since I don't have a dedicated CD player in my setup). It works really nice and I can use the sub and it has all the "ummpp" you want (depending on the track of course!).

No, I am using my standalone player. It doesnt sound bad, but it is nowhere as good as movies I play. I set it to 2 channel stereo thinking it may handle the bass. I am not saying there aren't any bass, but when comparing it to movies, it is very lacking. I usually pick the track that has the most bass to test it. Just strange to me that's all. Maybe I am not setting it right or my hookup connection is flaw , that is listening to CDs???

[Hammie]

I've never had issues with bass with my Denon. I've had to set my two channel listening to VIRTUAL mode. This matrices the low frequencies to my sub. When set to STEREO, I get no bass out my sub and all low frequencies are sent to my two fronts.

I'm not familiar with the Yamaha receiver, but I would check the listening modes available on it.

On another note, low, tight, boomy bass in a car is far easier to accomplish due to the small listening area. Having previously installed car stereos, I found it interesting the additional power and sub size to get a similar "experience." BTW, I have not been able to get the same exact effects in a home stereo environment as in a car, nor do I really want to.

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I've never had issues with bass with my Denon. I've had to set my two channel listening to VIRTUAL mode. This matrices the low frequencies to my sub. When set to STEREO, I get no bass out my sub and all low frequencies are sent to my two fronts.

I'm not familiar with the Yamaha receiver, but I would check the listening modes available on it.

On another note, low, tight, boomy bass in a car is far easier to accomplish due to the small listening area. Having previously installed car stereos, I found it interesting the additional power and sub size to get a similar "experience." BTW, I have not been able to get the same exact effects in a home stereo environment as in a car, nor do I really want to.

If I put a CD in my car stereo system, it will put my HT to shame in terms of low, boomy bass, however, my car system can not even compare to my HT when I play movies. I was thinking maybe it is the way the bd/dvd and cds are recorded differently. However, for sharpness and treble clarity wise, my HT surpass my car stereo. I just can't that HT experience from a regular CD as I would a BD. HMM, I wonder how would a BD/DVD sound in my car stereo? But I don't have a BD player to test it anyway.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by icyteddy

No, I am using my standalone player. It doesnt sound bad, but it is nowhere as good as movies I play. I set it to 2 channel stereo thinking it may handle the bass. I am not saying there aren't any bass, but when comparing it to movies, it is very lacking. I usually pick the track that has the most bass to test it. Just strange to me that's all. Maybe I am not setting it right or my hookup connection is flaw , that is listening to CDs???

On the "Input channel and speaker indicator" on your receiver, do you see only the L and R channels when you listen to a CD?

I'm sure that you will be able to get a good sound with your system...

Here are a few things to consider:
- Set your front speakers to "Large" for 2ch stereo playback;
- In your car stereo, you might be boosting the bass with your tone adjustments. You might want to try to adjust the bass/treble control on your receiver to your liking. If your using the "Pure Direct" mode, this will defeat the tone controls.

Originally Posted by icyteddy

If I put a CD in my car stereo system, it will put my HT to shame in terms of low, boomy bass, however, my car system can not even compare to my HT when I play movies. I was thinking maybe it is the way the bd/dvd and cds are recorded differently. However, for sharpness and treble clarity wise, my HT surpass my car stereo. I just can't that HT experience from a regular CD as I would a BD. HMM, I wonder how would a BD/DVD sound in my car stereo? But I don't have a BD player to test it anyway.

Regarding bass, boomy bass is not usually what you would look for if you want an accurate representation...

[Beta Man]

I just sat in the "movie room" and listened to a few tracks..... laid back with my eyes shut......... I would say my CDs sound every bit as "grand" as my Blu-rays..... I can't sit and listen too long though, because the desire to "Fine Tune" sets in

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by Johk

Are you playing your CDs through your PS3?

On my part, I don't really like how stereo music (CDs and mp3) is handled by the PS3 via HDMI, it seems like it always outputs on all channels (with the other channels blank except for the L/R front, refer to this thread on AVS). It prevents from using the subwoofer to handle bass duties on stereo tracks.

Right now to play CDs/digital music, I stream it with an airport express (since I don't have a dedicated CD player in my setup). It works really nice and I can use the sub and it has all the "ummpp" you want (depending on the track of course!).

I've never had an issue with the PS3 flagging more than a 2 channel source for CDs or SACDs. I'm not sure why you're encountering that issue.

As for the original poster, I'm assuming you used YPAO to setup your system? Ideally, you should have your main speakers set to small, have the crossover set at 80 Hz, and obviously have your sub handle all bass signals. One thing to keep in mind with the YPAO system is that it has difficulty with picking up bass response below around 40 Hz. I would suggest using a sound decibel meter to properly set up your subwoofer. I use YPAO for my original setup, and then I follow with a Radio Shack meter for fine tuning. While using the meter I add around 4 decibels to the subwoofer level to compensate for the meter's lower bass dropoff. Doing that helps restore bass information to the bottom end without having the presentation end up bloated or artificial sounding. It makes a big difference.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by icyteddy

If I put a CD in my car stereo system, it will put my HT to shame in terms of low, boomy bass, however, my car system can not even compare to my HT when I play movies. I was thinking maybe it is the way the bd/dvd and cds are recorded differently. However, for sharpness and treble clarity wise, my HT surpass my car stereo. I just can't that HT experience from a regular CD as I would a BD. HMM, I wonder how would a BD/DVD sound in my car stereo? But I don't have a BD player to test it anyway.

I think it depends on the speakers, amps and how you have them tuned.

I designed my car stereo around classical music not rap, hip hop, or R&B. My best demo CD was 'Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.' Keep in mind this was 15+ years ago and surround sound in a car was unheard of, but I was running all Boston Acoustics Mids and Tweets, dual JL Audio 12" subs, about 2000 watts of Phoenix Gold amps, and a Phoenix Gold EQ. It was professionally callibrated and sounded sweet. I loved it but part of it got stolen from my car (I guess they couldn't figure oout how to get into my trunk) and I ended up selling everything left to afford married life.

I never got back into car audio but have since moved into home theater. The wife can appreciate the HT audio more then the car audio anyway.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by icyteddy

No, I am using my standalone player. It doesnt sound bad, but it is nowhere as good as movies I play. I set it to 2 channel stereo thinking it may handle the bass. I am not saying there aren't any bass, but when comparing it to movies, it is very lacking. I usually pick the track that has the most bass to test it. Just strange to me that's all. Maybe I am not setting it right or my hookup connection is flaw , that is listening to CDs???

You have a nice set-up, no reason why your CDs should be lacking in sound. Maybe I misunderstood but it sounds like you are listening to your CDs via your stand-alone CD Player. Have you tried listening to CDs via the PS3? I'm curious to know if you notice a difference. I listen to mine via the PS3 and they sound great.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

I've never had an issue with the PS3 flagging more than a 2 channel source for CDs or SACDs. I'm not sure why you're encountering that issue.

Just check it out... CD outputs as 5.1 ch on my receiver via HDMI. All output options are enabled on the ps3.

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by vega2K

You have a nice set-up, no reason why your CDs should be lacking in sound. Maybe I misunderstood but it sounds like you are listening to your CDs via your stand-alone CD Player. Have you tried listening to CDs via the PS3? I'm curious to know if you notice a difference. I listen to mine via the PS3 and they sound great.

I am using my sony standalone BD player. I have not listen my cds on the PS3 yet. BTW, this is all HDMI...but that should not matter does it? I thought it may be my BD player, but previously before I listen to CDs, I tested some BDs on the PS3 and it sounds awesome!

[Beta Man]

Are there various settings for outputting CDs in 2-channel with that player? I'm not familiar with the menu options on it.

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Are there various settings for outputting CDs in 2-channel with that player? I'm not familiar with the menu options on it.

Yes, there is a ton of settings. Ranging from Sci-Fi mode to Hall Vienna..action adventure mode...etc. They all sound unique in thier own way, but still the can not compare to BD/DVD audio. I'll try to fiddle some more, but I just wanted to know if your audio cds sound simliar or different compare to BDs/DVDs in terms of bass response. Besides, 99% of my HT usage is for BDs/DVDs anyways.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by icyteddy

Yes, there is a ton of settings. Ranging from Sci-Fi mode to Hall Vienna..action adventure mode...etc. They all sound unique in thier own way, but still the can not compare to BD/DVD audio. I'll try to fiddle some more, but I just wanted to know if your audio cds sound simliar or different compare to BDs/DVDs in terms of bass response. Besides, 99% of my HT usage is for BDs/DVDs anyways.

if that's the case, set them to "Stereo" you only want to hear audio from the front two speakers.

[icyteddy]

Here is another kicker! I set my reciever to 2 channel stereo, put in a Godzilla dvd as a test dvd and set the track to 2 channel stereo. Sounds awesome! Only running the fronts. Bass is clear and heavy. Shook my whole house literally! Then I pop in a cd...okay sounds good, but nowhere it sounds like when I pop in a movie. hmmm...maybe they should start recording audio cds in lossy or lossless sound..

[SDBlu]

I use my PS3 for CD's/Audio and I set it to Stereo. I think it still sounds awesome. Not as good and clear as BD/lossless audio, but good nonetheless.

BTW, when I listen to CD's and set the receiver to Stereo, my sub still kicks in. I thought when the receiver was set to Stereo it should only be the front two speakers??? I am not complaining though, cuz I think it sounds awesome with the two fronts and the sub together!

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by MarcosG

I use my PS3 for CD's/Audio and I set it to Stereo. I think it still sounds awesome. Not as good and clear as BD/lossless audio, but good nonetheless.

BTW, when I listen to CD's and set the receiver to Stereo, my sub still kicks in. I thought when the receiver was set to Stereo it should only be the front two speakers??? I am not complaining though, cuz I think it sounds awesome with the two fronts and the sub together!

Yes, when you set the AVR to 2 channel, only the fronts should be running, I would think the fronts should have about the same amount of bass in stereo as in lossless or lossy sound. My whole ordeal was basically not getting enough bass out of the 2 fronts when listening to music CDs.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by icyteddy

hmmm...maybe they should start recording audio cds in lossy or lossless sound..

Audio CDs are "lossless" since there is no compression.