|   DSP Modes on Receivers and a Question Regarding Volume | To Live And Die In NY
Jul 25, 2002 11:50 PM | | On my Onkyo TX-SR600, there are a bunch of DSP sound fields to choose from, as well as different surround modes...obviously, when I pop in a DVD, the automatic detection goes to work, and switches to Dolby Digital or DTS...but I was wondering, since I have been playing around with stereo music sources like my CD changer which is connected to this receiver, does anyone have any insight on Onkyo's different sound fields to change stereo sound, such as "Pro Logic II Music," "NEO:6 Music/Cinema," "All Channel Stereo," and so forth? So far, I have played CDs back in All Channel Stereo because each speaker is being used and surrounds you in sound---I dont think Pro Logic II Music was as convincing...but what of modes like NEO:6...what exactly does this do to music and movies? Does anyone use these modes when listening to music or playing Surround encoded VHS movies at all?
Also, although my "IntelliVolume" control on my receiver for each component is set mainly all the way up and my speaker calibration levels are all at +6, I still need to crank my volume up to 40 or 50 or so to really get it rockin when watching either a DVD or VHS tape...is this normal for an 80 watt x 5 receiver? Do you guys also have to crank your volumes to these levels when youre in the mood to really EXPERIENCE the DVD or tape? |
| Studio Mix works well for music. | Slosh
Jul 26, 2002 3:58 AM | | My friend has the Onkyo 575X and he often uses the <i>Studio Mix</i> DSP mode for CDs and LPs. To me it sounds just like my Denon pre/pro's <i>Matrix</i> DSP, which is excellent (IMO) for stereo music when the delay is turned completely off (the delay for the DSP, not system configuration delay) and the surrounds are set a few dB lower than the front speakers. I don't know if Onkyo allows you to tweek their DSPs but I would assume you can. I like it better than <i>Dolby Pro Logic II Music</i>, although that often works pretty well too.
You're not cranking the amp when turning the volume control to 40 or 50. Many receivers today are set up this way because it gives you better control at lower volumes. 40 or 50 would likely be equal to 9:00 on an analog volume control. Also, movies tend to have a <i>much</i> greater dynamic range than most music so theoretically they both should peak at 0 dB. In practice though, DVD does tend to peak lower. When I burned a CD-R of a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert DVD using the PCM track, I had to set my CD burner's digital level control to +9 dB (!) to get it to peak at 0 dB. When I did the same thing with the PCM track of a Roger Waters concert DVD I didn't have to boost the input level at all so it depends on the individual DVD. If you want all of your sources to be at the same level you will have to turn down the louder ones.
Another tip: If you want to use a DSP with a Dolby Digital stereo or mono DVD, set your DVD player to convert Dolby Digital to PCM (assuming that your receiver overrides DSP settings when detecting Dolby Digital).
Having all of your speakers set to +6 doesn't sound as if it would be correct. Even if all of your speakers had the exact same efficency rating they probably sound a little different from each other do to room acoustics.
Personally, I don't like 5 channel or all channel stereo because it ruins the soundfield. Remember, just because you have 5-7 speakers doesn't mean you should always use all of them. Even though I like my pre/pro's Matrix DSP I still most often listen to music in plain old stereo. |
| Studio Mix works well for music. | To Live And Die In NY
Jul 26, 2002 8:13 AM | | Hello Slosh,
Thanks for all the input...yes, I understand what you are saying about the soundfields as opposed to all channel stereo; when I play music back in Pro Logic II, Neo:6, or other delay-oriented formats, there is a definite decrease of music to the surrounds...the front soundstage is the dominant one, and its clearly heard...but I seem to enjoy the All Channel Stereo, as does my cousin, who is temporarily living with me in my apartment right now...we seem to think it just brings ALL the music out the best, although you disagree.
I will try Studio Mix next time I fire up a CD, but what of the Neo:6 mode? Do you know anything about this? When I set the receiver to Neo:6 when a CD is playing, the DTS light comes on, and the result is music from the rear channels that sounds very "echo-ey", as if the receiver is taking the rear speakers and creating a "phantom" center back surround...is this whats going on? This mode cannot be used when playing Dolby Digital or DTS DVDs, can it? |
| Never heard DTS Neo:6 :-( | Slosh
Jul 26, 2002 2:00 PM | | My pre/pro (Denon AVD-2000) is more than 4 years old and doesn't even have DTS. I also have a Marantz SR5200 receiver (used as a center/surround amp and DTS and 6.1 channel processor) and it doesn't have Neo:6 either.
Lots of people like All-Channel Stereo. I just happen be someone who doesn't. |
| re: DSP Modes on Receivers and a Question Regarding Volume | MattK
Jul 26, 2002 1:17 PM | | I have the Onkyo 595, which doesn't seem to have all the soundfields you mention, but here's my 2 cents. Regarding volume, I regularly listen to mine at about 41 for tv and movies, sometimes a little higher. Music seems very dependent on the cd but ranges from 25-35.
For music, I really haven't found anything I like better than regular old stereo. I use the PL-Music for Playstation 1 games. I use all-channel stereo for sports on tv, makes it sound like you are "in" the crowd. And that's about it, don't really use any of the others. Although, I don't have the "NEO:6" option you are talking about. |
| re: DSP Modes on Receivers and a Question Regarding Volume | urs70
Jul 27, 2002 4:30 PM | | DTS Neo:6 is similar to DPLII but uses 6 channels instead of 5. For movies I like it better than DPLII. For music some times I use it. Other times I go with "Unplugged" or "Studio Mix". I guess you should try everything and stickk to what you like better.
Volume of 40-50 is normal for this receiver. It's due to the kind of volume control they use in this receiver. But power really goes up when you go higher. |
| re: DSP Modes on Receivers and a Question Regarding Volume | jonty
Jul 29, 2002 8:58 AM | | I also have the TXDS575 and I'm slightly underwhelmed by the power it puts out. 40-50 is where I have to set it for movies, and it does a decent job considering the price, (only $299 refurbed in my case). Before I got a powered sub, I was not at all impressed, even with the Onkyo pushing full sized Infinity fronts with 12" woofers. An older HK separates system I have will rip the roof off the house with those speakers.
I guess the money goes into the features and processing power rather than the amps.
Jonty |
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