Got HD sound my verdict

[Canada]

I had a Sony speaker system and did not notice a huge difference then I got a B&W system and whoa momma it was like driving a Pinto to driving a Mclaren.

Having good speakers make all the difference in the world.

I mean my parents Boston A 100's sound a trillion times than my Sony speakers, having a good receiver helps as well.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by quest88

HTX-22HD 2.1-channel digital home cinema system

How can you base HD Sound off an 2.1 system ?

Exactly!!!!

[Stu123]

Originally Posted by HAMP

Exactly!!!!

Im not totally stupid.I added a centre and surrounds to it,had them from the start and still dissapointed and yes theyre within the stated independence range

[prerich]

Originally Posted by stubiedoo

Im not totally stupid.I added a centre and surrounds to it,had them from the start and still dissapointed and yes theyre within the stated independence range

The problem lies with your system - I've always told and advise people lo view things as a system - not just a technology. If you have a piece of gear that can resolve HD audio, but the speakers can't, you're dead in the water before the boat turns over. Your speakers are the last word in you audio chain and the only piece of equipment that you actually listen to. If you can find better speakers (or if you can give me a budget - I will make some suggestions) - you will hear the difference between lossy and lossless. From that day forward - you will not be disappointed. With that said - you've actually helped prove another point that I've made in other forums, Lossless on a mediocore system, sounds worse than lossy on a great system. We must think in terms of system - how everything works...together.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by stubiedoo

Well for someone like me with not much money id say stick with your old system for now as although it packs more of a punch there isn't a huge difference.Obviously if you can afford it you're going to get it so you know you're getting the best possible sound but really you arn't missing out on a great deal and my opinion is the articles are right that have suggested it's hard to tell the difference between dolby digital 5.1 and dolby true hd 5.1.I wasn't dissapointed with the sound i was just dissapointed with the difference compared to dolby digital 5.1 as it wasn't as big as i'd hoped it would be.I was listening for rear effects that i couldn't hear with dolby digital and couldn't really spot anything new going from one to the other.So as i say the only difference i could tell is that it just sounded louder.

ps3 with onkyo htx 22hd

In order of what I bolded.....

1) How so? I find the latest codecs allow for more detail in the ambient sounds, greater depth and dimension to the soundfield, etc..... but "More Punch" what do you mean by that?

2) This one irks me...... people think that if they pick up a 5.1 HTIB from Walmart that isn't capable of achieving the HD audio, they're missing out..... so then they pick up a new receiver, connect their Daiwoo speakers to it, and say "Sweet.... now I'm getting the best audio possible" oh yeah???? how ya figure? Your setup, regardless of what it is.... can always improve..... show me someone with a $500,000 setup, and I'll show you someone who probably has their eye on some sort of improvement or another........ It's part of the hobby, passion, and pursuit of perfection that exists.

3) I take it you have the optional package to make it a 5.1 ??????? Either way, go to a local HT store (no... not Best-Buy) and venture into their listening room, and play a Blu-ray with 5.1 DD and 5.1 HD-MA tracks, and toggle on/off, and see what details emerge on a proper setup...... it's more than just "Louder"

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by prerich

The problem lies with your system - I've always told and advise people lo view things as a system - not just a technology. If you have a piece of gear that can resolve HD audio, but the speakers can't, you're dead in the water before the boat turns over. Your speakers are the last word in you audio chain and the only piece of equipment that you actually listen to. If you can find better speakers (or if you can give me a budget - I will make some suggestions) - you will hear the difference between lossy and lossless. From that day forward - you will not be disappointed. With that said - you've actually helped prove another point that I've made in other forums, Lossless on a mediocore system, sounds worse than lossy on a great system. We must think in terms of system - how everything works...together.

Even though I agree with you, I would replace the bolded part with:

The room. Most people forget about room treatment. The typical untreated room has dips and nulls as big 30dB. No speaker in the world, no matter how good it is can overcome such inconsistencies (nor can Audyssey and the likes for that matter). First reflections, SBIR (speaker boundry interference), comb filtering and room modes all mess with your audio and need to get treated to some extent.

YMMV

[prerich]

Originally Posted by HDJK

Even though I agree with you, I would replace the bolded part with:

The room. Most people forget about room treatment. The typical untreated room has dips and nulls as big 30dB. No speaker in the world, no matter how good it is can overcome such inconsistencies (nor can Audyssey and the likes for that matter). First reflections, SBIR (speaker boundry interference), comb filtering and room modes all mess with your audio and need to get treated to some extent.

YMMV

I stand corrected - as you are correct - other than the speakers - the room has its play on them also! Good catch!

[Beta Man]

Well....... really the "last stop" is your ears..... people shouldn't be afraid of their audiologist.... Some people have terrible hearing, and don't even know it.

[Stu123]

Originally Posted by prerich

The problem lies with your system - I've always told and advise people lo view things as a system - not just a technology. If you have a piece of gear that can resolve HD audio, but the speakers can't, you're dead in the water before the boat turns over. Your speakers are the last word in you audio chain and the only piece of equipment that you actually listen to. If you can find better speakers (or if you can give me a budget - I will make some suggestions) - you will hear the difference between lossy and lossless. From that day forward - you will not be disappointed. With that said - you've actually helped prove another point that I've made in other forums, Lossless on a mediocore system, sounds worse than lossy on a great system. We must think in terms of system - how everything works...together.

You're exactly right but what i find strange is i enjoyed the lossy on my old system which is at least 6 years old than HD 5.1 on my new hdmi one.We're talking entry level cinema in a box stuff though for both.So im actually selling my hdmi set up to go back to optical and lossy as ive only a small room anyway.I just cant find enough difference between the lossy and lossless for it to be worth the money and i got £100 off the list price too.So my final conclusion is HD audio is only real worth it for people with thousands to spend on there set up who know a real lot about sound and who know what exactly what to listen for.I was really excited about it and now im really dissapointed .I was planning to go through all my blu-rays especially to listen to the new sound and theres nothing new for me apart from just a bit louder at the same volume setting.Id advise people who can't afford to spend alot of money stick with your 1.5mbps DTS core it sounds great.I appreciate you wanted to help me get the right stuff but this was my only chance to experience the lossless audio as i havent the money for anything too expensive.I think it should be more clear as i do think its a bit of a gimmick for people who are buying the cheaper equipment.

[Noodleman]

Speakers do however make a huge difference in detail so it all depends on the kind of speakers you are running. Also a 2.1 can't produce the same effects as a receiver that supports 5.1. You have a center channel but its not made for it so of course most people will not notice any difference because your missing out on the clear dialogue that shows its true clarity of HD audio

[mroe3469]

Just wanted to put in my little opinion. I have not spent thousands of dollars on my system and I can tell a difference. I would not buy a box system and instead save that money and add to it. It takes time. I have many upgrades in the future. Mostly to speakers right now and I am sure after that I will still have the itch. You can put together a decent system if you are careful with the money. I bought my Def Techs for about 250. I also bout a warrenty so that added about 80 for a total of 320. Spend the time looking around for deals and you will find them. I am a Best Buy shopper after Christmas and the Super Bowl for open box items. I know it can be a bit dicey but I add the warrenty. With the warrenty all reservations are taken away. I dont want people to get scared away thinking they have to spend thousands to have a good sounding system. Yes thousands would help me do faster and better but I dont have thousands.

[Stu123]

Originally Posted by Noodleman

Speakers do however make a huge difference in detail so it all depends on the kind of speakers you are running. Also a 2.1 can't produce the same effects as a receiver that supports 5.1. You have a center channel but its not made for it so of course most people will not notice any difference because your missing out on the clear dialogue that shows its true clarity of HD audio

its a proper 5.1 system L,R,C,SR,SL the amplfier and decoder is built into the subwoofer.

[Noodleman]

ill take your word for it as im not to familiar with your setup. I gotta say i finally got a chance to hook up only 2 of my floorstanding polk audio speakers and i must say HD is the way to go! Im sorry that you don't notice the difference but coming from plain old optical 5.1 to dts hd i definately hear it. Im no audio guru but from my experience just playing 2 speakers is amazing, i still have 4 speakers to wire up to complete the full effects of 5.1 so i can't imagine how clear it will be .

[kolibri]

I too have the Onkyo HTX-22HD, and whilst I know it can't hope to compete with a well thought out system of individual components, I am surprised the OP can't tell the difference. There is a marked difference between standard 5.1 and TrueHD/DTS-HD MA, and I'm pretty sure it ain't just the volume - there is certainly a greater feeling of depth and volume to the sound.

[jerwin]

Here's a conspiracy theory for you.

Dolby, and I assume, dts both work to make sure that their algorithms, at high bit rates, are pretty much transparent. A bluray contains enough room for 640 kbs ac3 and 1.5 kbs dts. So, the base soundtrack should be nearly indistinguishable to audiences, given that blind tests incorporate decent equipment and golden eared listeners.

However, transparency does not sell MasterAudio or TrueHD licenses.

My own setup is a Samsung BDP-1600 in dts transcoding mode, coupled with an Onkyo dts reciever. Much as I hate to admit it, I probably would be called deaf-- or at least tone-deaf-- by many an audiophile.

Yet I can hear an audible difference between the high resolution soundtracks and the lossy soundtracks. Given that I'm using a dts transcode, I'm left to assume that they are different mixes, and the tonal differences are due creative decisions, rather than technological improvements.