atlantamoi

I've got an Audiosource front speaker (50 watts, 8 ohms). I use pro logic still with my Kenwood DTS receiver... decent Klipsch side speakers and crappy subwoofer/rear speakers. Wondering if upgrading my front speaker will make a difference? I'm not totally disappointed with the dialogue, but it seems maybe a shame not to have better sound with my Sony WEGA. I should probably just change everything and get 5.1, but at the least would you get a bossier front speaker with what I've mentioned?

PhYbEr

you say kenwood dts receiver then you mention getting 5.1.. if your receiver is capable of dts you already have a 5.1 receiver.. am i missing something?

Brian Shannon

What are your front speakers now? Are you talking about changing your center speaker?

You will need to clarify your equipment list better to get some help.

atlantamoi

No, I'm probably the one who is missing something! And I probably need to read a good FAQ on home theaters (like right here on this website). I guess I'm confused because recently when I was watching a DVD set on 5.1 I got no audio out of it and had to change the DVD setting to prologic in order to hear anything. Okay, I'm officially embarrassed! haha

Frank S

To obtain DD or DTS 5.1 audio you MUST have a Digital Optical or Coaxial cable connected between you DVD player and receiver. The reason you get none now is you probably aren't use a digital optical/coxial cable and are simply using the analog Left/Right cables.

drmoze

Also, 'bossy' is not the criterion for a front speaker that I would use. $^) The best test is one you can do simply by ear. After balancing the speaker levels, simply do a white noise test (built into many receivers, and available on many calibration discs). As the noise moves from L to C to R, listen for any tonal changes. The more the fronts sound alike, the more natural the dialog and other audio will be as it moves across the front. If the center speaker sounds very different (e.g. duller or more 'hissy') than the L&R, then you need a new center that better matches the tone of the L&R.

atlantamoi

Thanks guys... rudimentary, but I learned something. Especially about the digital cables.

TheMadMonk

To my knowledge, the "Pro Logic" setting is just a way of matrixing out an analog signal ((2) red & white rca cables), so that it goes into more than just 2 speakers.

For true 5.1 surround sound, you need either (1) digital coaxial cable, or (1) digital optical cable, or (6) discrete analog cables (front left, center, front right, rear left, rear right, subwoofer), and of course, a receiver and dvd player that have these inputs/outputs.

drmoze

Atlanta, do you have a manual for your receiver? If not, find one. (Sometimes you can dl one from the manufacturer.)

Then.... RTFM!!!! $^)

Really. The manual will tell you how to hook things up. If you didn't even know about the digital inputs for DD/DTS, then you should spend more time reading the instructions and less time on forums.

atlantamoi

Was waiting for a comment like that! Eh... forums are more fun. Got the receiver el cheapo never with the intention of using it for much more than listening to CD's. I know it sounds silly I never thought much about the DTS issue, but I have other things I'm more into. Now I'll investigate more.