Best setting

polk_audio_lsi
polk_audio_lsi Posts: 71
edited April 2006 in Electronics
I have an Onkyo TX-SR503 (not for very long) and I was wondering which surround sound setting I should really set it on? It has Dolby PL IIx which has movie, music, and game settings. Then I have Neo:6 which just has cinema and music. My Onkyo manual says Neo:6 takes 2 channel sources and turns them into 5 channels. (5.1) And then the manual says the Dolby PL IIx takes 5.1 channel sources and turns them into 7 channels. To me, I'm not really finding much difference really. And so I was wondering which really is the better setting for watching movies, listening to music, and playing PS 2?
CURRENT SYSTEM:

(TV) Sylvania 24"
(DVD Player) LG DVF 9900
Sony Playstation 2
(Receiver) Onkyo TX-SR503
(Front Speakers) Polk Audio Monitor 40
(Center Channel) Polk Audio CS 1
(Surround) Paradigm Cinema ADP [Dipole] (On top of Polk Audio Monitor 40)
(Subs) Pioneer CS-G9001 (Bi-wired with Fronts subwoofers only working layed down up against back of couch)
Monster Fiber Optic Cable (DVD Player to Receiver), Monster speaker wire
Post edited by polk_audio_lsi on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited April 2006
    Hi & welcome.

    Pick whichever settings sound best to your ears.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited April 2006
    For movies one of the Dolby or DTS settings if the DVD has a DTS soundtrack available.

    For music, well, I would 2ch only Direct as I dont like DSP on my music.

    For games, I dont know.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polk_audio_lsi
    polk_audio_lsi Posts: 71
    edited April 2006
    Can somebody tell me what the difference between DTS Neo:6 and Dolby Pro Logic IIx?
    CURRENT SYSTEM:

    (TV) Sylvania 24"
    (DVD Player) LG DVF 9900
    Sony Playstation 2
    (Receiver) Onkyo TX-SR503
    (Front Speakers) Polk Audio Monitor 40
    (Center Channel) Polk Audio CS 1
    (Surround) Paradigm Cinema ADP [Dipole] (On top of Polk Audio Monitor 40)
    (Subs) Pioneer CS-G9001 (Bi-wired with Fronts subwoofers only working layed down up against back of couch)
    Monster Fiber Optic Cable (DVD Player to Receiver), Monster speaker wire
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Holydoc
    Holydoc Posts: 1,048
    edited April 2006
    LSI,

    Basically they will do the same thing. They both will take 2-channel movies and turn them into 6.1 shows. Thus utilizing your other speakers. 5.1 content is also converted to 6.1. It does a lot better with the 5.1 than it does with the 2.1.

    Either is very nice and is hard to tell apart. Personnally, I like the Dolby over the DTS: Neo but it is your ears.

    :)
    Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
    __________________________________________
    Panasonic -50PX600U 50" Plasma
    Onkyo -TX-NR901 Receiver
    Oppo -Oppo 980HD Universal DVD Player
    Outlaw -770 (7x200watt) Amplifier
    PolkAudio - RTi12 (Left and Right)
    PolkAudio - CSi5 (Center)
    PolkAudio - FXi3 (Back and Surround)
    SVS - PB-12/Plus (Subwoofer)
    Bluejean Cables - Interconnects
    Logitech Harmony 880 - Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited April 2006
    Not to talk down to you at all, because I just found this out myself, but are you running a Digital cable from your DVD to AVR? I was merely using Red/White and man, I swapped over to a digital port (Still don't even have the Coax cable) and instantly heard a difference. Worth the thought, if you aren't!
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Holydoc
    Holydoc Posts: 1,048
    edited April 2006
    MrNightly,

    I am definitely running a digital cable to my receiver. The DAC in my receiver puts my DVD player to shame.
    Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
    __________________________________________
    Panasonic -50PX600U 50" Plasma
    Onkyo -TX-NR901 Receiver
    Oppo -Oppo 980HD Universal DVD Player
    Outlaw -770 (7x200watt) Amplifier
    PolkAudio - RTi12 (Left and Right)
    PolkAudio - CSi5 (Center)
    PolkAudio - FXi3 (Back and Surround)
    SVS - PB-12/Plus (Subwoofer)
    Bluejean Cables - Interconnects
    Logitech Harmony 880 - Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited April 2006
    welcome to the forums LSI. As someone who explored 7.1 myself, then downsized for liveability issues, I can tell you with full confidence that DPL IIx sounds best on everything. Analog, 5.1 dvds, piggybacked to any DTS source, it's a great one-stop-shop for surround sound.

    DTS Neo:6 can't hold a candle to DPLIIx imo.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polk_audio_lsi
    polk_audio_lsi Posts: 71
    edited April 2006
    hey MrNightly yes I'm runnig a Monster THX 8 foot fiber optic cable from my DVD player to my receiver but for now all I have is analog's (red & white) coming from cable box to my receiver. But I'm gonna get a digital coaxial cause my cable box dont have a hookup for a fiber optic cable
    CURRENT SYSTEM:

    (TV) Sylvania 24"
    (DVD Player) LG DVF 9900
    Sony Playstation 2
    (Receiver) Onkyo TX-SR503
    (Front Speakers) Polk Audio Monitor 40
    (Center Channel) Polk Audio CS 1
    (Surround) Paradigm Cinema ADP [Dipole] (On top of Polk Audio Monitor 40)
    (Subs) Pioneer CS-G9001 (Bi-wired with Fronts subwoofers only working layed down up against back of couch)
    Monster Fiber Optic Cable (DVD Player to Receiver), Monster speaker wire
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter