Problem with surround channels

I have begun testing my setup with the Aria test DVD, and am noting some problems with the surrounds. When I do a 5.1 sweep test, I get the same tone from the L & R surrounds (same sound out of both when a test tone is sent to either).

Also when playing the phase test for the surrounds, and you are supposed to hear a 1.5 second in-phase tone followed by a .5 second out-of-phase tone, I only hear the 1.5 second in-phase tone and don't hear the .5 second out-of-phase tone.

I also noted that I don't seem to be getting any subwoofer output on the surround/subwoofer portion of the subwoofer test.

I am wondering if I missed some setting on the 990. I checked the connections between the 990 and the amp, and everything appears to be in the right place.

Hearing the same in-phase signal out of both speakers simultaneously sounds almost like the results of EX/ES decoding, where correlated mono content is steered to both rear speakers.

Are you running a 5.1 or 7.1 set-up? If 5.1, then make sure that your have the "surround" outputs going to your amps, not the "surround back" outputs.

I double checked, and I think the problem is in the setup of my DVD player. I had been running it PCM for my old Prologic system. I am going to go back and retest, and will let you guys know. Thanks for the input!

Doh! Your DVD player is using Dolby Surround encoding to downmix the 5.1 signal to 2 channels. Remember that Dolby Surround only has a single/mono surround channel that is output from both surround speakers. That explains the results you're getting.

Yep... That fixed it. LOL

Boy does it really sound great now!!!