center channel clarity

Posted by Joe Murphy Jr (A) on May 31, 2004 at 10:41:48

In Reply to: You guys are not answering my question. posted by DickW on May 31, 2004 at 09:23:51:

This problem has been documented by several HomeTheater magazines and forums. The common complaint is that center channel information isn't as loud or as clear as one would expect with a discrete digital format. The only cure is to raise the center channel level a few dBs to bring it to a level that is comfortable for the user.

Since you do not have a new surround receiver/processor, you are not decoding these new formats (Dolby Digital, DTS) in their native state. That said, are you using a DVD player that can decode Dolby Digital and DTS and output the down-converted 2-channel information on the analog stereo outputs or are you just listening to the 2-channel Dolby Surround track on the DVD? I have found that players doing the decoding and down-converting internally for 2-channel analog output are, at best, sub-optimal. That shouldn't be the case, but experience has proven otherwise.

By the way, no movies are Dolby Pro-Logic II encoded on DVD, but they can be Dolby Surround encoded.

If you don't want to spend big bucks, I would suggest the new Yamaha HTR-5760 receiver. You can get them for <$400 on the net (I saw a few units on ebay recently -- brand new, from online vendors -- with Buy It Now prices of $339 + shipping). Talk about inexpensive! If you'd like to use outboard amps and just let the receiver do the decoding of the DTS and Dolby Digital soundtracks on the DVD, this model also has 7.1 preamp outputs.

Here's a link to the HTR-5760. I would suggest that you do not go below this model (above is fine) for consideration:

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/HTIB/HTR-5760.htm (Open in New Window)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Dialog clarity with Dolby Pro Logic vs: ProLogic II vs: Dolby Digital - DickW 21:26:09 05/30/04 (13)

You guys are not answering my question. - DickW 09:23:51 05/31/04 (5)

Re: You guys are not answering my question. - Sam M 10:05:56 06/01/04 (0)

center channel clarity - Joe Murphy Jr 10:41:48 05/31/04 (3)

Re: center channel clarity --Thanks Joe Murphy - DickW 14:31:03 05/31/04 (2)

suggestion - Joe Murphy Jr 15:05:25 05/31/04 (1)

Re: suggestion - DickW 20:21:12 05/31/04 (0)

Re: Agree with the posts below: - rico 07:20:32 05/31/04 (4)

Sorry, have to correct you... - HiFiMaster 09:30:00 06/01/04 (3)

Re: Then why - rico 15:57:18 06/01/04 (2)

it's called a cross-over..... Not LFE channel. (NT) - Sam M 15:50:08 06/03/04 (0)

Re: Then why - HiFiMaster 05:52:50 06/02/04 (0)

Re: Dialog clarity with Dolby Pro Logic vs: ProLogic II vs: Dolby Digital - Lowrider 06:43:23 05/31/04 (0)

Re: Dialog clarity with Dolby Pro Logic vs: ProLogic II vs: Dolby Digital - townsend 06:25:33 05/31/04 (0)

Follow Ups

center channel clarity - Joe Murphy Jr 10:41:48 05/31/04 (3)

Re: center channel clarity --Thanks Joe Murphy - DickW 14:31:03 05/31/04 (2)

suggestion - Joe Murphy Jr 15:05:25 05/31/04 (1)

Re: suggestion - DickW 20:21:12 05/31/04 (0)

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