Delay setup

[G. Martin]

While reading the delay set up in my RSP-1068. I read it as saying, it applies the delay to every speaker according to the diastance entered. My question is does the 1068 process the information and reset to the correct delays. The manual does not say if it does or does not.

[Kevin D]

Yes, the longest distance speaker gets no delay and the subsequent shorter distances get the delay as needed.

Kevin D.

[artv4]

g. martin, thats a great question. hey kevin d or anyone, can you please elborate more on this particular topic.

[G. Martin]

I agree with you Kevin that may be somthing that needs to be made an adendum to the manuals. I set it up just like the delay system in my Alpine head unit explains and the sound is just amazing.

[Kevin D]

Delays are often overlooked but extremely important to get an accurate sound stage.

In a perfect world you would draw a circle around your sitting position and every speaker would be placed on that circle. This would insure that the sound from every speaker would hit your ears at the same time. Unfortunately this is next to impossible in most rooms. What the delays do is delay the sound from speakers closer to you (in milliseconds) so that all sounds arrive at your ears at the same time.

Rotel used to use a millisecond rating and explain it in great detail. The speakers farthest away would be set at 0ms and every speaker closer would have a delay added (1 foot equals 1ms I think). As you can see that is a little hard to relay to the common consumer, even with explanation.

So they moved to an actual distance setting and let the DSP chip calculate what speakers need a delay. This was to make it simpler on most consumers. Actually explaining the process in the manual might confuse them more.

I usually measure from where my head is to the tweeter of each speaker. Setting the delay will really improve the panning of sounds from each speaker and also the cohesiveness with the video.

Kevin D.

[artv4]

thanks kevin d. i am currently using the rotel rsx-1055 which uses the millisecond rating. man this is confusing!!!
art

[Kevin D]

Well then you appreciate first hand how "My center speaker is 11' away" is easier..

The 1055 assumes your surround and center speakers will be farther away then your fronts and your subwoofer will be the same distance as your fronts. The 1056+ gives you full control of each individual speaker. On the 1055 only the center has 1' accuracy (the most important distance setting). For every foot your center is closer to your ears, add 1ms.

For the surrounds, you can only choose as close, 5' closer, 10' closer, etc.. I would tend to set it lower unless you are 1-2' from the next highest setting. IE, if the surrounds are 3.1-8' closer, set them to 5ms. 8.1-13' set them to 10ms.

Kevin D.

[artv4]

thanks kevin!!! i have my surrounds set at 5ms. still confused on what to set my center at. its about 11' from my listening position. i am trying to make my receiver last until i purchase the rotel rsx-1058.
art

[Kevin D]

It's all relative to where your front speakers are. If your center is at 11' and you mains are at 13' your center is 2' closer to you. 2' = 2ms, so set the center at 2ms.

Same with the rears, it's not how far away they are, but how closer they are to you then your fronts. So again if your fronts are at 13' and your rears are at 8', that's 5' closer set them to 5ms.

Kevin D.

[artv4]

thanks again kevin d