SDA’s and Surround Sound Processors

Javaman1685

Just curious about comments in using the SDA’s in a surround sound system with an advanced processor. I have a Yamaha CX-A5200 and external amps with an Adcom 555ii for the SDA’s. I can go to 7.2 with my setup and was wondering if there should be considerations for the SDA’s? Cable or NO cable connected? Just wondering if anyone out there runs a similar system and has any recommendations or experiences to share.
With all the room correction and DSP algorithms on the pre-pro I was looking for some thoughts to get the best surround sound for MUSIC only.

I do run the SDA’s in “pure direct” mostly which is only the SDA’s in stereo mode without ANY dsp processing going on.

Thanks,

Emlyn

There are two aspects. First is whether or not to have the SDA cable connected when running an auto calibration function in the processor. I have tried both ways with many different receivers and processors over the years and noticed no difference in setup so run the auto calibration with the SDA cable connected.

Second is whether or not to have the SDA cable connected when running surround sound material. There's no reason not to have the SDA speakers operating as they're designed to since the crosstalk cancellation only works effectively in a limited seating area. It has no effect on surround speakers or the center channel's output. The processor calculates time delay and levels for each speaker. If a wider sweet spot is desired for a group watching surround sound content a different set of main speakers set up for a wide disperstion pattern may be a better choice. But then music in the primary listening spot wouldn't be as good.

I recommend running auto calibration both ways on your processor and then checking in the processor to see if the settings turned out different.

As you know listening to the SDA speakers in pure direct mode makes the processing irrelevant.