Just got some new Polk's

sponger

Polkie2009 wrote: »

: What would make the Pure Direct mode to sound very bad, a horrible recording???

Generally speaking, I'd have to agree with you. There is no reason other than due to poor recording quality that pure direct should sound awful. However, I think the exception would be when the speakers are so lacking in proper amplification that their shortfalls in sound reproduction need to be masked with extra helpings of "enhancement features" slathered all over the frequency spectrum. By that I mean dynamic EQ, dynamic volume, etc. I've done some digging on whether those features are a reincarnation of the "loudness" button, and it seems there is some debate about that.

EarleD

Well very bad may heave been a overstatement. The quality of the recording is what makes the difference.
Listening/watching pandora/netflix stereo sounds better. Watching a blueray pure direct sounds great.

sponger

EarleD wrote: »

Watching a blueray pure direct sounds great.

I agree, which I why I avoid "loudness" and other colorations when possible. Typically that would be in a situation where there is headroom. However, in this particular case with these speakers and this AVR, the headroom to which I've grown accustomed in the past is not there, and so pure direct from a quality recording --- as counterintuitive as it sounds -- is awful. I'm in the midst of working an amp in to the picture, and I see no reason why the situation would not be adequately remedied at that point.