To matrix or not to matrix?

[Drew664]

I'm currently playing around with speaker placement, and listening modes to see how they all can effect movies.

I started off with matrixing 5.1 mixes into 7.1 via the PLIIX movie mode. I enjoyed it, but was curious as to what just the 5.1 track would sound like. I've since disconnected my left and right surrounds, and made my left and right rear surrounds my new left and right for a 5.1 experience. With this I know listen to everything in Dolby Digital, and I'm enjoying it more than the PLIIX movie mode.

In a perfect world, I'd have my surrounds on the side, but slightly behind my seating. Unfortunately, my room layout will not permit this (to be functional).

Just curious whether or not people prefer the 5.1 tracks over the matrix'd 7.1 mix. What do you listen to?

[DonRSD]

barely anything is 7.1

go 5.1 and BI AMP the fronts

[Twitch9]

+1 totally agree

Running matrix will only makes the surround overpower your fronts by adding to much surround mix to the back speakers.

[CollinViegas]

Im one who says 7.1 all the way. If the system is calibrated properly nothing should over power and it should create a more emmersive surround experience. After having lived with a 5.1 system for a few years and now having a 7.2 system for about a year, the difference is night and day and I would never go back.

Especially when the bluray is 7.1 naturally, then it is just mind blowing.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

+1 totally agree

Running matrix will only makes the surround overpower your fronts by adding to much surround mix to the back speakers.

Wait, wait, that last statement is ridiculous. Overpower your fronts? If everything is properly calibrated and leveled, there should be no such "overpowering" - it would be like saying that in a straight up 7.1 encoded soundtrack, the surrounds would overpower the fronts. That can't be right.

I do matrix, I add ES to DTS-HD MA to activate my 6th channel, and EX to DD/DD True HD for the same reason. And I've never "overpowered" my fronts to the point where I can't hear them or feel that they are being overshadowed. I have my rears spaced at around 20'-0" feet apart, almost - adding that 6th rear center made a great big difference in the soundfield, whether it has its own encoded audio being sent to it, or the receiver matrixing a signal out to it.

Edit to this, I see Collin beat me to disputing that first statement,

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

Running matrix will only makes the surround overpower your fronts by adding to much surround mix to the back speakers.

Twitch9,

I have no problems running PLIIx for a little 7.1 operation on 5.1 material as well.

Sometimes I run in PLIIx, but most of the time, not.

You may want to check your surround and surround-back levels on your receiver and perhaps lower either or both of them a few decibels if you are really getting overpowering surround channel audio. As you are probably aware, their sound is best set to compliment the front soundstage.

[Rob J in WNY]

Drew664,

A little off topic, but I checked out all your gallery photos, and I must say, both of us have fine taste in surround speaker stands!

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

Twitch9,

I have no problems running PLIIx for a little 7.1 operation on 5.1 material as well.

Sometimes I run in PLIIx, but most of the time, not.

You may want to check your surround and surround-back levels on your receiver and perhaps lower either or both of them a few decibels if you are really getting overpowering surround channel audio. As you are probably aware, their sound is best set to compliment the front soundstage.

i agree

i hate when i go to other peoples house and the surrounds are TOO LOUD.
even during a baseball game/sporting event.....all you hear is the back speakers.
that alone annoys the SIHT out of me.

my rears are there to 'compliment' the fronts.
when sound is supposed to come from the rears, they come on.....if not i dont want anything coming from the rears.

BTW i only have 5.1 setup per my gallery

[Steve]

Drew, this is totally off the subject, but judging by the last pic in your HT gallery, I would say you should change your speaker wire to something thicker pronto. Some Monoprice 14 gauge should do the trick.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Drew664

Just curious whether or not people prefer the 5.1 tracks over the matrix'd 7.1 mix. What do you listen to?

First off, You have some nice L&R towers and I can understand you wanting them Bi-Amp'ed. I have a 7.1 surround and I love it when a movie is mastered that way.

I have not tried to Bi-Amp my fronts yet because I like the option to matrix them if I feel like it.

I live in an apartment now, but I know when I move into a house I will get an amp and Bi-Amp all three of my fronts.

[uniquetreatone]

Question,is PLIIx the same as using THX ULTRA2? I'm wondering do they send signals to the rear channels the same way or differently.

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

Drew664,

A little off topic, but I checked out all your gallery photos, and I must say, both of us have fine taste in surround speaker stands!

Agreed!

Originally Posted by fireman325

Drew, this is totally off the subject, but judging by the last pic in your HT gallery, I would say you should change your speaker wire to something thicker pronto. Some Monoprice 14 gauge should do the trick.

Oh believe me, I'm going to upgrade those. The current 22 gauge will go within the next month. I'll probably require some advice on what kind of plugs to use (I'll take photos of all my speaker and AVR connects for reference). I'm going on vacation tomorrow and will be gone for ~10 days or so. I'll hit you guys up for advice when I get back.

Originally Posted by uniquetreatone

Question,is PLIIx the same as using THX ULTRA2? I'm wondering do they send signals to the rear channels the same way or differently.

Hmmm. Well to my knowledge the only difference was that the EQ settings were different. Maybe someone that knows for sure can weigh in on it.

[ewwgurt]

i would definately matrix 5.1 to 7.1 unless my source is descrete 7.1 which is not as common as id like. there is absolutely nothing wrong with matrixing why or how it can overpower is beyond me. its merely spreading out some of th rear signals not boosting the levels in them. ive never encountered any overpowering that way.