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Your Experience w/ Pro-Logic vs DD Front Channels?

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I am wondering if anyone can comment on observed differences in channel information transmitted to left and right front channels by Dolby Pro-Logic circuitry in contrast to that of Dolby Digital.

My HT components (separate from my hi-fi system) include recently acquired L-C-R PSB Image 2b speakers --don't yet want surround speakers or sub-- and a Sony DVP-s7700 DD/DTS DVD player which I paired with an older Pioneer VSX-5300 Dolby Pro-Logic Receiver. Cabling is Wireworld Orbit III and Atlantis II. I am finding that Pro-Logic-generated sound effects are indeed entertaining, but not necessarily more pleasing than the simple two-channel stereo. Specifically, movie sound is primarily channeled to the center speaker and is only occasionally supplemented by the sounds of cars whizzing by, telephones ringing, musical soundtracks, etc. that are directed to the front L and R speakers. Often, this effect is abrupt and distracting; and when it terminates, sound is conspicuously narrowed to the center speaker--contrary to what I expected. (Perhaps this is whole point of HT!?) In contrast, I sense a more expansive and warmer sound when I send the same signals through simple stereo, although voices appear a little separated too.

Given my experience, what should I expect if I upgrade to a receiver that processes Dolby Digital signals? Does DD send any more or different information to the front L and R speakers? I am already aware that DD is far superior to Pro-Logic in its ability to separate the signals into separate channels. But this does not mean that there is necessarily more or different audio information to send to the front L and R speakers as opposed to that directed to the subwoofer and surrounds.

Please advise before I devote time to actually auditioning replacement receivers or processors.

[By the way, with my PSB speakers rated 100w max, my current Pioneer VSX-5300 receiver is rated 100w continuous to L and R, but only 25w to the center channel. I don't know if these specs are relevant, but I include the info anyway.]

Thanks,

Kendall




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Topic - Your Experience w/ Pro-Logic vs DD Front Channels? - kendall 12:13:09 08/28/00 (2)


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