Replacing 5+1 with 4-Channel System How to

[LinuxGuru]

Hi !

I have an idea (may be its wrong) to replace home theater 5+1 plastic junk (1 subwoofer + 4 satellites) with 4 channel system (4 large Sansui 3-way speakers + 4-channel amplifier). The sources are DVD player, and most important, Linux PC based multimedia setup box.

Anyone can suggest me if I am thinking right direction, or I am totally wrong?

If this is OK, how to convert 5+1-channel audio to 4 channel?

Thanks in advance for any suggestion(s)

 

[ShaneC]

(Just theorizing here)...

Most surround sound is encoded specifically for 5.1 (or more). I'm not sure how you can circumvent the use of the center channel and the sub and still get all the audio streams out to the amp.

I'm just guessing, but I think its possible provided you have the right amp/decoder combo...I'm just not sure what that would be.

 

[jpdylon]

Don't duplicate your threads, it will make the mods dislike you

See your thread here:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=161700

 

[Face]

I'm just guessing, but I think its possible provided you have the right amp/decoder combo...I'm just not sure what that would be.

If you mains image well and your processor/receiver supports it, a phantom center works just as well if not better than having a actual center.

Don't duplicate your threads, it will make the mods dislike you

Nobody likes a tattletale.

 

[Arkay]

There are dedicated surround-sound decoders/processors out there, independent from the ones built into HT surround amps. You can route a signal from your DVD or LD player (or VCD, but why? ) to the decoder and then take the separate channel outputs from it and run them into separate amps. Basically you are using a "separates" approach to HT, just like moving from a receiver to separate tuner+pre+power amp.

I have three of these processors, each dedicated to a separate type of surround system, but haven't got to the stage of fully implementing the "separates HT" system I envisage. Need to re-cap at least one more amp, get more cables ready, etc... but will be trying this approach later this year.

The separate decoders are each significantly "beefier" than what you'll get in most surround amps, and better shielded, so I think they should give better (at least not worse!) results. PLUS you get to choose your amps. That means you can pick ones with much more overhead and better (to your ears) sound quality; ones that are better suited to your speakers, etc...

With any 5.1 system, you can select a "phantom" center to reduce the 5 channels to four, and the choice of whether or not to use the ".1" subwoofer has always been an option, not a requirement.

If your decoder of choice can process Dolby Prologic II (and ONLY the "II" version does this), then you can also use the same system to decode and play vintage quadraphonic (4-channel) matrix systems like SQ quad (but not CD-4 quad).

An alternative approach is to just use the decoder built into your HT amplifier, IF the outputs on the back allow you to. Many HT amps do not have low-level outputs for all the separate channels, but if yours does, than this approach is an option.

 

[whsh93a]

I use a Pioneer QX-949 quad receiver for my surround sound and it works exceptionally well. People who hear it are pretty surprised that it is powered by such an old receiver. It has a very:thmbsp: cool balance display as well.

The old quad receivers, set for descrete input, work very well indeed. Just choose the proper configuration from your DVD's menu (ie. two front, two rear).

DH

Hi !

I have an idea (may be its wrong) to replace home theater 5+1 plastic junk (1 subwoofer + 4 satellites) with 4 channel system (4 large Sansui 3-way speakers + 4-channel amplifier). The sources are DVD player, and most important, Linux PC based multimedia setup box.

Anyone can suggest me if I am thinking right direction, or I am totally wrong?

If this is OK, how to convert 5+1-channel audio to 4 channel?

Thanks in advance for any suggestion(s)

 

[stereofisher]

I kept it simple.....

I use a Pioneer QX-949 quad receiver for my surround sound and it works exceptionally well. People who hear it are pretty surprised that it is powered by such an old receiver. It has a very:thmbsp: cool balance display as well.

The old quad receivers, set for descrete input, work very well indeed. Just choose the proper configuration from your DVD's menu (ie. two front, two rear).

DH

Used a Pioneer QX 949. Now have a Pioneer QX-8000. Hate HT systems. Since I use the Pioneer for music I simply hooked my flat screen to it into Aux. Sounds good enough for me. Especially for music off the TV. Never liked how most sounds go through a small center speakers. Sounds really crappy:thumbsdn: These old Pioneers sound really good for TV sound. Hooked it up direct and go.

Eric

 

[pioneernut]

I currently and always have, run my Home entertainment system in a 4 channel or 4.1 channel setup. I always run the center in a phantom mode. I never did like center channel speakers all that much. So if it was me, I'd find a sound card for your PC that had multiple channel outputs and run it into an older 4 channel reciever. If you got big 12 inch woofers you won't need a sub for the most part.

My Intel motherboard has a 5 channel sound card built into it and support Dolby Digital/Prologic Surround. The one unknown is if Linux would support the surround features of whatever sound card you use. If it does then your in business.

 

[whoaru99]

If you got big 12 inch woofers you won't need a sub for the most part.

If you don't mind missing a good bit of the LFE action, sure...

 

[pioneernut]

If you don't mind missing a good bit of the LFE action, sure...

Never had a problem with my Pioneer DSS-7's 12 inch dual Coil woofers going that low. Peeved off quite a few apartment neighbors in my day with those.

But now I run my 4.1 setup with a pair of AR-4x's and a modest 10 inch powered Yamaha subwoofer. Funny thing happend the other day, my wife was in the kitchen and some low note on Oceans 11 DVD kicked in and she thought there was an earth quake. The volume wasn't even up, and we live in northern Illinios(no earth quakes)

 

[FalconEddy]

If this is OK, how to convert 5+1-channel audio to 4 channel?

Since 5.1 Dolby Digital (and/or dts) is a specific encoding requiring a 5.1 decoder, you can't really 'convert' the 5.1 itself. Plus, without a decoder and six separate outputs (or more), you won't have a way to get the individual channels to the amp(s).

But, as long as your setups have provisions for other types of sound playback such as Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, or Quadraphonic; you'll be able to get a standard stereo playback from the front end, and surround (or virtual surround) from the rear.

However, this setup may leave a lot to be desired since the lack of a true center channel (which generally contains 80%, or more, of the dialog), and sub (for low frequency impact) will have been removed from the 'fully adjustable' part of the equation.

. . Falcon

 

[whoaru99]

Never had a problem with my Pioneer DSS-7's 12 inch dual Coil woofers going that low. Peeved off quite a few apartment neighbors in my day with those.

But now I run my 4.1 setup with a pair of AR-4x's and a modest 10 inch powered Yamaha subwoofer. Funny thing happend the other day, my wife was in the kitchen and some low note on Oceans 11 DVD kicked in and she thought there was an earth quake. The volume wasn't even up, and we live in northern Illinios(no earth quakes)

Not trying to start a fight, and not saying your system doesn't sound good. But, if you've not had a dedicated, quality sub in your system, you'd likely be in for a real surprise.

Few speakers go much below 30-40Hz with any real authority, but a good sub will easily do powerful bass at 15-20Hz. Many geared toward HT go even lower these days. The sub I'm using is -2dB at 17Hz with usable output down to around 14Hz.

 

[pioneernut]

Oh I'm sure you really get a feel for the movie when subs go down to 15 hz. My father in laws setup has a nice 12 inch powered Infinity sub, but I doubt that even his goes down that low.
At that low of freq it'll shake the floor pretty darn good.
But for me I'm satisfied with Bass going down to 30~40hz on most movies.