Surround Listening Modes

[BUBBASAX420]

With The Ability Of Our Receivers To Matrix 5.1 To 7.1 Or Just True Hd 5.1 And Dts Ma 7.1 Or 5.1. What Is Your Favorite Listening Mode Dd Ex , Dd, Thx, Thx Ex, Neo 6 ,dts ,true Hd, You Get The Point. Which One Is The Best And Why??????????

[nismo604]

Originally Posted by BUBBASAX420

With The Ability Of Our Receivers To Matrix 5.1 To 7.1 Or Just True Hd 5.1 And Dts Ma 7.1 Or 5.1. What Is Your Favorite Listening Mode Dd Ex , Dd, Thx, Thx Ex, Neo 6 ,dts ,true Hd, You Get The Point. Which One Is The Best And Why??????????

I have the same receiver, my choice would be PIIx + THX, I like it better than PIIx on its own. PIIx matrixes 5.1 to 7.1, has more of stereo imaging for the surround back speaker than Ultra2 which is more mono. THX added to PIIx sounds a little more realistic in my listening area than PIIx on its own. Basically for our Onkyo receiver if you have Audyssey engaged PIIx on its own uses the Audyssey target curve, switching to any THX mode engages the flat audyssey curve. The Audyssey target curve and the RE-EQ for THX modes do pretty much the same thing by rolling off the high frequencies on the audio tracks that is why when you switch to a THX mode it defaults to the flat audyssey curve so not to double the high frequency roll off. Now you have see which sounds better to you in your listening enviroment, Audyssey curve(Non-THX modes) or Audyssey flat with THX Re-Eq(THX modes).

[Yog-Sothoth]

With my 6.1 setup:

PLIIx + THX for 2.0 sources

THX Surround EX for 5.1 sources

THX Select2 Cinema (Ultra2 Cinema for the 805) is not available for 6.1.

[prerich]

LPCM 7.1 via HDMI out of my HTPC it even matrixes TrueHD and DTS HD MA 5.1 up to 7.1 my favorite setting and my favorite player!

[Sir Terrence]

Being a purist of sort, I do not like enhancements of any kind with my soundtracks. The THX modes are for enhancing the characteristics of THX speakers, whether it is to account for a drawback, or a plus. THX re-eq has become unnecessary with todays lossless tracks, as most do not contain the ISO 2969 EQ designed for theatrical presentation anymore(which they did with DVD). Good surround speakers that are well placed can be more immersive than THX electrical representation can be. With PL II I do not like the circuitry to decide effects placements on a arbitrary basis, which do not represent the original intent of the re-recording mixer. These enhancement are "guessing" where to place effects, as there is nobody to really monitor what it does.

I think this is a difference strokes for different folks proposition. Some folks like to sprinkle salt on their food, no matter what seasoning has been added during preparation. Others like myself like it presented just as it left the chef's hand. Its all a matter of preference.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Sir Terrence

Being a purist of sort, I do not like enhancements of any kind with my soundtracks. The THX modes are for enhancing the characteristics of THX speakers, whether it is to account for a drawback, or a plus. THX re-eq has become unnecessary with todays lossless tracks, as most do not contain the ISO 2969 EQ designed for theatrical presentation anymore(which they did with DVD). Good surround speakers that are well placed can be more immersive than THX electrical representation can be. With PL II I do not like the circuitry to decide effects placements on a arbitrary basis, which do not represent the original intent of the re-recording mixer. These enhancement are "guessing" where to place effects, as there is nobody to really monitor what it does.

I think this is a difference strokes for different folks proposition. Some folks like to sprinkle salt on their food, no matter what seasoning has been added during preparation. Others like myself like it presented just as it left the chef's hand. Its all a matter of preference.

Excellent analogy!

[callas01]

Sir Terrence, You are welcomed to eat in my home anytime. I taste it as I'm cooking and nothing makes me more upset then someone salting up the food before they have even taken a bite.

[Aries64]

Originally Posted by Sir Terrence

Being a purist of sort, I do not like enhancements of any kind with my soundtracks. The THX modes are for enhancing the characteristics of THX speakers, whether it is to account for a drawback, or a plus. THX re-eq has become unnecessary with todays lossless tracks, as most do not contain the ISO 2969 EQ designed for theatrical presentation anymore(which they did with DVD). Good surround speakers that are well placed can be more immersive than THX electrical representation can be. With PL II I do not like the circuitry to decide effects placements on a arbitrary basis, which do not represent the original intent of the re-recording mixer. These enhancement are "guessing" where to place effects, as there is nobody to really monitor what it does.

I think this is a difference strokes for different folks proposition. Some folks like to sprinkle salt on their food, no matter what seasoning has been added during preparation. Others like myself like it presented just as it left the chef's hand. Its all a matter of preference.

Very well put. I also dislike adding sound enhancements to soundtracks - I prefer to hear the soundtrack in it's original form, as it was recorded. Why add ketchup to filet mignon?

Keith

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Aries64

Why add ketchup to filet mignon?

I prefer A1 sauce.

I believe the problem is that many people have spent a lot of money for their speakers/receiver. They feel that in two-channel music or in 5.1 movies, some of their speakers are wasted. They need some affirmation that they have made the right decision in spending their future retirement money on audio.

[BUBBASAX420]

I AGREE, WITH THE FACT OF DONT FAKE IT LISTEN TO IT THE WAY IT WAS MADE, I LIKE DTS MA 5.1 AND 7.1 THE BEST.




BIG DADDY YOU WOULD NEVER NEED A1 AT MY HOUSE.
THE STEAKS ARE JUST THAT GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE NEXT TIME YOUR IN IDAHO ILL COOK YA UP ONE

[Pelican170]

Originally Posted by Sir Terrence

Being a purist of sort, I do not like enhancements of any kind with my soundtracks. The THX modes are for enhancing the characteristics of THX speakers, whether it is to account for a drawback, or a plus. THX re-eq has become unnecessary with todays lossless tracks, as most do not contain the ISO 2969 EQ designed for theatrical presentation anymore(which they did with DVD). Good surround speakers that are well placed can be more immersive than THX electrical representation can be. With PL II I do not like the circuitry to decide effects placements on a arbitrary basis, which do not represent the original intent of the re-recording mixer. These enhancement are "guessing" where to place effects, as there is nobody to really monitor what it does.

I think this is a difference strokes for different folks proposition. Some folks like to sprinkle salt on their food, no matter what seasoning has been added during preparation. Others like myself like it presented just as it left the chef's hand. Its all a matter of preference.

I agree totally and couldnt have said it better!

[Sir Terrence]

Originally Posted by callas01

Sir Terrence, You are welcomed to eat in my home anytime. I taste it as I'm cooking and nothing makes me more upset then someone salting up the food before they have even taken a bite.

My closest friend who I have known most of my life is a trained and degreed chef from the Culinary Academy of San Francisco. I learned the hard way about adding more seasoning to the food he cooked (which quite frankly was the best food I have ever tasted outside of my mother's kitchen). I took a spoon to the hand, and to the end of my snout for pouring A1 sauce on my prime rib before tasting it. I then got a "Gusteau" like lecture about seasoning food before tasting it, and how that was forbidden in the house. Needless to say, I never did that again, and quite frankly he was right. That prime rib was so good without the sauce, I didn't even need it. I took that lesson to my audio, as I believe a well done recording does not need any assistance from a "enhancer" to sound good. It must succeed or fail on its own merits, and if it is really poorly done, no amount of enhancement will make it sound better. Can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear can we?

[Sir Terrence]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I prefer A1 sauce.

I believe the problem is that many people have spent a lot of money for their speakers/receiver. They feel that in two-channel music or in 5.1 movies, some of their speakers are wasted. They need some affirmation that they have made the right decision in spending their future retirement money on audio.

I cringe everytime I look at a bottle of A1 sauce

[BUBBASAX420]

Originally Posted by Sir Terrence

I cringe every time I look at a bottle of A1 sauce

NEXT TIME YOUR IN IDAHO LET ME THE STEAKS ARE READY


THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT INSIGHT AND HONESTY SIR TERRENCE I AGREE 100 PERCENT