Video Asylum

Improper setup

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bstan

(A)

In Reply to: surround is a complete waste of time and money posted by petew on December 31, 2001 at 11:22:28:

My guess is you just didn't get everything calibrated correctly.
Your system will likely not provide balanced DD/DTS sound (without a center channel and downconverted to 2-channel) for more than one person who is seated in the sweet spot.
But, if you are the only person that will listen to the system, then it may very well satisfy you.
My experience is very different as I like to view movies with friends, even though I use this combo system more than 90% of the time for 2-channel music.

In my case movies with 5.1 DD or DTS sound (for more than one viewer)have center focused dialog at all seating locations and a more realistic soundscape than is possible with just a stereo pair of speakers.
bstan

Follow Ups:

wrong - petew 11:51:17 01/05/02 (3)
I came to surround from a purist audio beginning, and spend many hours tweaking and adjusting the surround gear in the video room. I've changed/upgraded equiptment several times over the years, and use acoustic treatments with SPL meters and spectrum analizers.
Clearly, you've never heard the Audio Physic Virgos in a proper set-up, as a stand-alone stereo pair. I swear to God, you will piss your pants when you hear them dialed-in.
They do pin-point surround sound far better and much more realistically than any surround system I've ever heard. And yes, in answer to your question, they can place localized sound BEHIND you, as well as far to the sides, and move it all around and over your head.
Unbelievable? Yes, that's exactly my reaction every time I hear it.
- Re: wrong - bstan 14:59:15 01/05/02 (2)
  Don't get me wrong, as I'm not sitting in your room listening to your system, but I've never heard a 5.1 DVD movie soundscape correctly articulated from a stereo pair of speakers in any of the highend dealer's rooms I've been in over the last 6 years. Even had the opportunity to attend a demonstration of stereo and multiple surround-sound technologies at Dolby Laboratories in San Francisco. Their listening theater was designed for the absolute best sound - cost no object. Big-Big difference between stereo and DD 5.1.
  My Dynaudio Contour 2.8 mains (with the Confidence series Esotar tweeter) still give me more goosebumps than most speaker setups I've ever listened to. I haven't heard any speakers that make me want to change (including a session with the Audio Physic Virgos).
  Yes, I to also spent many years obsessing with stereo setups, but have finally realized a pretty good 2-channel music/HT combination.
  I also spent enormous amounts of time reading about acoustic theory (F. Alton Everest) and then using ETF RTA software and a calibrated microphone to acoustically tune my listening room for both stereo and 5.1 channel HT. I do use the Audio Physic speaker setup method - speakers on one long wall (3-4' out), listening position on the other long wall (12-18" out).
  bstan
  - apologies - petew 16:36:04 01/05/02 (1)
    ok you know of what you speak...
    I suppose the problem is in my head...perhaps 5.1 for film is better than a stereo pair, but for me, it's not worth the time, the trouble, and the expense. My audio closet is now full of gear (my hovercraft is full of eels).
    and I concur with the other poster who says the big Velo is perhaps too much by half (I haven't located it outside the house yet, perhaps that's the proper place for it...even with the gain approaching zero the damned thing lifts me off my fat ass every time there's a bump in the scene).
    I just don't like the kind of movies that need DD to be "good".
    I've heard the Dynos at Soundex, and they certainly are capable of the kind of acoustic alchemy I hear with the Virgos and the Merlins. There's something about the amazing execution of a insignificant-looking tweeter that makes or breaks an audiophile transducer.
    with humble respects to your opinions,
    dy/dx
    - Not necessary - bstan 19:49:30 01/05/02 (0)
      Most of what we discuss is based on what we like. I think it's good to express opinions and give everyone a chance to understand viewpoints from many different perspectives.
      One of the DVDs I played the other night, a James Bond flick, "Never Say Never Again" has the worst audio I've ever heard period. Didn't sound good in any format.
      bstan

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