OK had my surround set up more or less "complete" for about 10 months now. Really enjoyed.

I firmly believe the best sound is the one you like. However, now that I have everything set the way I like, I would like to compare it to a "standard" or "how the director of a movie intended". My biggest concern is my surround speakers. In my room had to mount them in the ceiling (vaulted). I turned their level up somewhat. But based on how far away they are from the listener, not sure if a "norma" or "base" level setting should be more or less.

As mentioned overall, I'm very happy with my set up. Just seeing if I can improve it or compare it to other settings...

Thanks in advance

Could you give more details on what type of reciever you have and what kind of settings you are using?

Personally I think the best thing to do is run a test tone from your reciever, or if your reciever doesn't have one a test tone from Video Essentials or a THX optimode disc. You can use an SPL meter to make sure you are getting equal levels from your listening position or you can gauge with your ears to what sounds good.

Also I don't recommend using any DSP settings, they tend to add too much of a gimmicky effect.

Thanks for the info. You have giving me something to play with. I have a Sony STR-DE845 receiver. The "settings" I've been using for a while now are the rear surrounds at +4, center at "small". Everything else is at the "default" or "factory" setting.

The receiver does have the ability to emit a test tone, and have use that.

I highly suggest you get a SPL and use that to balance the speakers. It makes a huge difference. It is impossible to correctly do this using your own ears, unless you are a hound dog.

Once you have the speakers balanced, then you can tweak it. Mind you, I like mine the way the SPL suggested.

Ha I have the same exact reciever. I would suggest you set the speaker setting to large for all the speakers, that way you get more bass. I don't exactly have the best speakers, infact mine are supposed to max at 80w but the 845 puts out 100w a channel. I am running it in a pretty small room so I really don't have to crank the thing that much.

Are you using a powered sub? I am assuming so. Anyway just to let you know if you are running DTS when you have the mains set to large the bass will be routed to the mains and less to the sub, if you have it set to small more bass will go to the sub.

I still keep my speakers set to large, I just think it sounds better. Also if you are using Cinema A or any DSP I suggest you mess around with the level of effect and see how it sounds to you witht he virtual speakers on or off. Personally I don't like to have the effect to high because it seems like you lose directionality and the sound stage becomes to enveloping. It also cranks the volume of the surrounds a little too much.

It is a very customizable reciever and there are a ton of settings to play with. If you have any more questions I would be happy to entertain them. Hope I helped.

It makes sense to try all the settings to see which one you prefer, but most people would not recommend setting your speakers to "Large" on your receiver. At least for most speakers.

You may get "more" bass, but it probably won't be "better" bass, and your receiver's amp will be working harder to produce the low frequencies it's sending to the speakers (which probably can't make use of them), rather than off-loading this job to the amp in the sub. This has the tendency, or at least potential, for compromising and straining the power and sound quality coming from the amp in the receiver.

I tried your suggestion and I actually like the sound better. I don't have the best system...hell if I did at 24 then there would really be something wrong with the world.

Anyway I set the DSP to normal surround, no bass boost, flat equalization, using the opening to the Terminator as a comparison.

With the speakers set to large as expected not as much bass was going to the sub, and this is the setting I am used to. With the speakers set to small I did get much more bass from the sub as expected, but I also noticed that the sound from the other speakers sounded "cleaner" if that makes any sense.

I love tweaking.

Cool.


That does make sense, for the reasons I put in my last post.


I think that everybody should do as direct a comparison as possible between Large and Small speaker settings, and choose whatever works best for their needs.

steve I am curious, what do you think of DSP's...do you think they are all gimmicky or do you think some actually do a decent job?

Technically, DPL and DPLII are DSPs. They are among the more useful. Logic 7 and Circle Surround, which I've not heard, are supposedly pretty good too.

My experience with DSPs such as "Hall," "Concert," "Stadium," "Church," etc., is that they're gimmicky and unuseful. Most people play around with them for the first day or two after getting a new receiver or processor, and then never touch them again. That's the camp I fall into.

Then again, take everything I say with a grain of salt, because I listen to stereo music in two channel stereo.

I listen to tv, and stereo and (non 5.1) Dolby Surround movies in Pro Logic.

Can you give me a little more info? Brands, models, etc. Are they expensive? Radio Shack or some net store the best bet?

Other items that were mentioned:

No I do not have a sub. I'm not HUGE into bass prefering accuracy over depth. HOWEVER, I realize a sub is an intricle part of a surround system (as apposed to 2-channel stereo). I'm keeping an eye open for a deal on a sub to match my mains and center channel (KEF). Maybe a x-mas present.

I have the mains set to "large" and the center on "small". Voices just seemed a little more natural in the center channel set that way. Surrounds are set to "small" I believe.

I've played with all the "concert hall" type settings and on DVD only PREFER the 5.1 or DTS settings. Some of those others are ok on occasion for watching TV.

I too am very pleased with the received. I know overall most on this forum prefer the higher end Sony units. My mains are not the easiest to drive and the Sony seems to have plenty of power for them. Yes, the overall sound quality on 2-channel stereo could be better, but I consider this a dedicated surround system. If I wanted super high end 2-channel sound I'd dig out my tube amp, and turntable.

The usual concensus is to get the Radio Shack model. Either of the Analog and Digital models are fine. Pick whichever one's available and cheaper. They do go on sale occasionally so you can till then.

Thanks for the info. Will head to the Shack this weekend. I have spent some time trying to set levels based on the test tone. After a few minutes it was like going to the eye doctor...."BETTER ONE, BETTER TWO....BETTTER ONE, BETTER THREE...drove me crazy!

How did you know my name was Steve
Anyway I use the DSP's when I listen to electronic music (trance/techno), and I think it sounds pretty good, but making sure the "echo" effect is turned down about half way. But for rock I'll just use regular stereo or the 7 channel stereo mode.