Best multichannel sound mode for music?

[nicholtl]

Just wondering what DSP mode you guys use when you listen to music? Stereo? Natural (i like this one)? Party? Pro Logic II Music? Also, I found that the sound seemed a little too neutral for my taste without treble, so I upped that somewhat. How did you guys customize your sound?

Oh, and I just have to ask...since everyone here (except me) has basically had their HALO units for quite some time now...is the "breaking in" really true? It sounds great already, but if it'll sound even better over time then I'm in heaven.

[David Meek]

Nichol, oh I wish I had my Halo's. I'm a JC-1 wannabe until January/February.




David - HTGuide flunky
Our "Theater" (http://www.htguide.com/bilder/index.cfm?fuseaction=arkivbilder&userid=0&selecteduserid=18)
Our DVDs on DVD Tracker (http://www.dvdtracker.com/custom_report.asp?ReportID=2980)

[nicholtl]

Ooooh, how many JC-1's are you getting? One per channel???

[David Meek]

Nichol,

The plan is for two - L & R mains only - at this time. I have to admint that I'm also considering the Pass Labs X-250 which is a 2-channel unit. Time and auditioning will tell. . . .




David - HTGuide flunky
Our "Theater" (http://www.htguide.com/bilder/index.cfm?fuseaction=arkivbilder&userid=0&selecteduserid=18)
Our DVDs on DVD Tracker (http://www.dvdtracker.com/custom_report.asp?ReportID=2980)

[smalone]

I like to use stereo for 2-channel stereo playback and 5.1 DTS for my DTS CD's. If I am not doing serious music listening then I will use either the party mode or all channel mode.

I really do like the THX Ultra-2 mode for 5.1 DVD movie sound tracks as it just envelopes you into the movie and sounds just like it would in the theaters.

[nicholtl]

Sorry if I sound ignorant, but for 5.1 DTS CD playback, I'm assuming you have to buy actual 5.1 encoded CD's? And for DVD soundtracks, (which I also am guessing you buy - though I've never seen such a thing), how exactly do you engage these 5.1 modes?

I like stereo mode, although it seems too soft and lacking in oomph and detail. I actually like party mode. I've just adjusted the settings so that the main L and R are the most prominent, with the center and the surround centers and rears as light ambient fill. What is "all channel" mode? I didn't realize there was one...

[smalone]

Correct, DTS sells 5.1 audio CD's that can be played in any CD player that has a digital output on it which is then decoded buy the C2.

They are 20 bit versus the normal 16 bit and have 5.1 channels.

Here is the website that list them all:
http://store.dtsonline.com/?il=1

PARTY mode is the mode that takes the 2 channel stereo and send it to the other speakers or what is commonly called all channel stereo with other receivers/pre-pros.

"Party feeds duplicated front-channel stereo signals to the surround (but not surround back) speakers; this spreads the sound more uniformly throughout the room"

[smalone]

Oh and Nichol,

The DTS 5.1 CD's will automaticly play back in 5.1. There is no 2-channel track on them like some SACD's.

Also the C2 manual is incorrect as "PARTY" mode does actually send the 2-channel stereo to the "back" speakers just like it does to the surrounds.