Hi, since I got the VP180, I find myself listening to CDs in these modes and enjoying it (even though I don't have surround yet). I was just wondering which mode do you usually prefer and why. For most of my listening, I prefer Neo6, I think it's sounds closer to 2ch stereo.

Also, I thought that with a center, the main listening position wouldn't be as critical but find that if I shift even a couple of feet to either side, that it sounds already different. Even though I am almost sure that this is normal, I guess I would like to just be reassured that it is.

That shift is the problem with a horizontal center, limited dispersion to the sides, while a vertical speaker like the M80s has great horizontal dispersiom. So if anything using a horizontal center with these modes increases the need for sweet spot listening.

Since both Prologic and NEO:6 are both based psychoacoustic modeling, there's no best one. Even more so, you should pick the one that best models what you like to hear. If you prefer NEO:6, then that's the one you should use.

I prefer Prologic IIx, because I do have a 7.1 system, and I like what it does for the surround information extraction better than DTS's offering.

I like Neo:6, myself.

I like Neo:6 for 1-2 instruments (except pipe organ) and PLIIx for larger formations. When I had Neural 7.1 available (when using Onkyo and not my d2v), that one was perfect for pipe organ and anything going on on a stage (opera, sacred music).

Yeah, I don't have surround yet, maybe when I will, I'll prefer DLPII.

Is it also as critical for let's say a bluray concert in True HD?

I guess I should have worded that for a more general response like:

Anything playing out of a horizontally designed speaker has limitations to it's lateral dispersion, no matter what the source.

Thanks for the clarification Jay.

Now to throw a wrench into this idea is the hybrid WT/MW designs that still have good off axis ability due to the vertical design of the tweeter/midrange. I really like the idea Wilson used on their center Dakkon mentioned in the another thread, it has 2 mids under the tweeter flanked by the 7" woofers.

Yes, Neo:6 seems to work well with quite a lot of pop music and jazz. DPLII is also quite good and quite similar on many CDs to Neo:6.

However, those of us blessed with Logic7, exclusive to Harman/Kardon, know that it's quite amazing with larger orchestral/choral works that are well recorded. However, with some other types of music (pop, rock, jazz) Logic7 sometimes throws too much content into the surrounds.

If I was forced to choose only one, it would be Logic7, but that's because I listen to much less rock than in past years.

Alan

Hmm. I should try calibrating my L7 and try it out. Kind of a pain to do, though.

But then you'll be a member of the exclusive Logic7 club!

Bruno, I have DPLII(x), Neo: 6 and Neural Surround ambience processing modes available. I briefly experimented with them following Eric's(EFalardeau's)description of his more extensive tests some time ago. Although I did notice differences similar to what he described, I thought they were relatively small and I generally keep DPLII on without bothering to change according to the source material.

When you use them without surround speakers, just the center, the effect is relatively minor, since the only difference is that it sends part of the sound which is equal in strength in the left and right channels to the center channel. The amount is variable(by Center Width in DPLII Music or Center Image in Neo:6 Music)and at one extreme all of the material is kept in the main channels and then of course it sounds exactly like the regular stereo mode, with the center being "phantom".

The main purpose of these modes is to send reflected ambience(which is the majority of the sound reaching us in the concert hall)extracted from the front channels in 2-channel material(there was no place else to put it)to the surrounds where it belongs, making home listening a little more realistic. So yes, once you get your surrounds you should enjoy the effect of these modes more.

Thanks John. I can't wait!

Don't forget DPL II when set-up right can do a good job of decoding old SQ and QS quad surround recordings w/o having to use any of the old finnicky 70's quad gear.

If you wanna try here's the approx settings you need to set on yer DPLII;

Center Width (range 0 to 7) : 7 (this effectively turns the center channel off)
Dimension (range 1 to 7) : 4 (this offers equal front/back balance)
Panorama (on/off) : on (more on this later)

Lots of 70's quad surround titles were mastered onto cd w/ SQ/QS encoding intact even though you won't see it on the cd jacket
Check here

http://members.cox.net/surround/quaddisc/quadcds.htm