Quote:
Exocer wrote:
 I am wondering where a 3.1 channel system falls in the grid of things...Would it still pose as much of an SQ/SPL loss as downmixing to stereo? Its too late for me to run those tests here but i'll try tomorrow if there isn't already a definite answer. |
It did the testing also with this configuration and the result was exactly the same as when you disable the center. 4.1, 3.1, 2.1, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 - same SPL loss compared to 5.1 or 5.0.
Quote:
| J_Palmer_Cass on AVS wrote:
Downmixing in the receiver activates the DD DRC downmix value (which is different for different DVD's). The DRC value selected by you via the receiver is ignored when you downmix.
Downmixing means disabling the center, or the surrounds, or both together. Anything except 5.1 or 5.0 is considered downmixing.
Downmixing does not mean selecting the subwoofer as off or on.
Downmixing in a DVD player is different again (LFE is dropped), but the DD DRC downmix value is used in the DVD player also.
The reason this DRC downmix value exists is that when you downmix you can overload the DAC's in the receiver if this downmix DRC is not applied. A DTS DVD DECODER has a similar downmix overload feature (compression) as I recall.
Remember that these DECODERS do things that are not obvious!!! |
Just like he says, only the DTS part is incorrect. I tested it too and DTS doesn't behave the same. There is no loss if you disable the center or surrounds. DTS doesn't carry any DRC information. Surprisingly DD 5.1 was only around 2 dB behind DTS at the same MV setting (Master and Commander).
So do remember that this happens only when playing DD tracks, DTS doesn't have this problem.