I don't currently own the 1050, however, my question is definately one that will make my decision easier. With my current setup..I get what I get out of my rears in regular Prologic..which is pretty weak for my taste. I understand that if no signal is there to decode there will be little to nothing there. Here's my question: "is it possible with the 1050 to run some kind of pod to jack up the sound to the rears? or does the 1050 do a pretty good job pumping out sound there in pro-logic?" My guess it that with powered speakers this may be possible. However, I still wonder if it's possible to do this without powered speakers. I hope this question isn't too novice for you Gunslingers any help is awesome!

Well I'm not sure quite what you mean but...In my experience with pro-logic it is pretty common for it to be "hot" for the front center and quiet on the other speakers especially the rears. Now having said that if you haven't experienced Dolby Digital or dts you will notice more from the rears, but for the most part they are there to support the film and fill in the soundfield not to overtake or even equal the front set of speakers. When you get a DD,dts receiver it pays to set it up properly with a spl meter that way yopu will know that what is coming from the rears is at the right level. Now as far as the 1050, yes it does a fantastic job at movies and at music as well.

Hopefully that helps, lets us know if we can help further.


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m-mmeyer

[This message has been edited by m-mmeyer (edited May 05, 2002).]

thanks for the reply..yes, I've listened to DD, and DTS and you are right..it does add more to the rear. I guess i'm asking what i'm asking because at work we have Genelic's (i forget the model #) for the main front, center, and surround. We have the capablility to bring more sound to the rears, center, or Left and right in Dolby Pro-Logic by way of "pods". Since those speakers are all powered..Each has separate volume controls..and the sound is darn right incredible! Just a thought..I would love to be able to control more of what comes out of those speakers for my taste.

Short of upping the gain on the surrounds, there's not much you can do that I'm aware of, and doing that will affect surround levels in DD/DTS modes as well as ProLogic. Even with powered speakers (like Paradigm's Active line, which I think is being discontinued) you'll have this problem, unless you walk up to your surrounds and increase the gain on the speakers' built-in amps. Either way, you're doing the same thing.

Does your current receiver allow you to control gain to your surrounds? If not, that may be what you are looking for, and the 1050 will let you do it. Just be aware that it'll affect all surround modes, not just ProLogic.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Yes there are trim controls to raise or lower the center and surrounds in relation to the fronts. But again if you set up the receiver with avia or etc. or even internal test tones then you will get the level in the surrounds that the filmmaker had intended. Of course if you don't like it that way you can always run the rears a little "hot". It is your system and can do as you please.

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m-mmeyer

I've found that I prefer to hear a little more from the rears, even in DTS/DD. Even though my rears are correctly calibrated at -2dB, I usually run them at -1dB or 0dB. Gives just a tad more "enveloping" effect.

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

This is very good information thanks guys. Well, i'm actually embarrassed to tell you what i'm running it's a pioneer VSX-D309 mated to a pair of Klipsh RF-3 mains and Center..the rears are cheap KLH's for now. The thing sounds fine with DD/DTS..however with ProLogic...it's not very flexible. The receiver will allow for db changes to each channel including the rears..but i've not yet found an acceptable level. If i'm not mistaken I have the surrounds set to 10db's.
Is this the same type of gain control that the 1050 has? Anyway, thanks for your imput. It sounds like the 1050 is worth a closer look. I was contemplating the 950 with the 7channel amp..I soon figured it's not a good idea in an apartment besides the 1050 can be used as a preamp and that's fine with me too. Thanks again.

I think you'll find that your Pro Logic system will sound A LOT better with the 1050. Even calibrated with Avia, I seem to get more surround information from Pro Logic sources than I used to with my old receiver. (Sony ES)

Don't be ashamed about your equipment. We all had to start somewhere.

ok.. that sounds great! But let me throw you an ignorant question: What is Avia? Everyone on here talks about calibration..I understand the Theory..but what kind of tools are you all using and where can u get them? Once again..thanks.

Avia and Video Essentials are the two most commonly (IME) used set up discs. They provide test signals for each of your 5.1 channels for calibration as well as patterns and tests for adjusting your display for the best picture. You can usually get a pretty good deal online if you look around. I got my copy of VE on eBay.

I was too impatient to wait and bought the Avia disc at Best Buy. (They didn't have Video Essentials.)

If you're a member of Netflix, you can rent VE. I did that well before I ever got my 1050. That was a few years ago so I assume they probably have the Avia DVD by now too. (I'm no longer a member although I still highly recommend it.)

I think there's a thread around here somewhere that discusses the differences between the two. (I just found the thread and it basically says that if you want the best audio and video quality to get both. Personally, I think you'll get mostly what you need from one or the other, but others may disagree.)

[This message has been edited by kugumby (edited May 07, 2002).]

Mustang Stallion,
I have used Avia and Video Essentials. They are both excellent. Sound & Vision has recently released a set up disk called, I believe, Home Theater Tune Up. It is a simplified and more basic calibration disk than Avia or VE. I think the suggested retail is about $19.95, and is sold at Best Buy and other such stores.It provides test tones for calibration, and simple test patterns for video.
Also required,in addition to the disk, is a Sound Pressure Level Meter (SPL). You can purchase one at any Radio Shack for about $30.00. Most experts recommend that you get the analog as opposed to the digital model, and that you calibrate in "slow mode, C weighted". (All that makes alot more sense if you actually have the meter). This calibration step makes a huge difference !!

Cool I have a DvD that was given to me by Best Buy when I bought the current receiver. However, it's not the Avia or V.E. it's the Ultimate DVD .. and has audio and video set-up tools...anyway, I'll look into an analog SPL meter to help make the setup easier...thanks



[This message has been edited by MustangStallion (edited May 07, 2002).]