dolby digital/dts with 4 speakers?

[driftwood07]

I currently have a 4.1 setup, with 2 front, 2 rear and a subwoofer (no center).
If I play a dolby digital or dts 5.1 track, and my receiver knows that I do not have a center channel, does it compensate and mix the center track to the two fronts, or is that channel just lost? thanks.

 

[nsafreak]

Logically it should mix the center channel into the two front channels. Reason being that most dialogue comes out through the center speaker most of the time.

 

[3chordcharlie]

If you have any sort of decent receiver, you won't be missing any sound, it just won't be as 'anchored' to the center, especially as you move away from the dead-center listening position.

 

[spidey07]

Yes it will send it stereo to the left and right. You don't need a center channel if your speakers are setup and positioned well.

 

[driftwood07]

thanks a lot for the replies. its an onkyo tx-sr805 so im sure its more than 'decent enough' to handle this then
im not looking to get a center anytime soon, so i just wanted to make sure the fronts would pick up the slack.

 

[spidey07]

You would certainly notice if it didn't. Dialog would be REALLY low. There are many people that don't even run a center - I don't.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Yes it will send it stereo to the left and right. You don't need a center channel if your speakers are setup and positioned well.

And you always sit in the 'right' place.

I pretty much agree though - if you set things up right, you should be able to have two seats (or maybe two rows of two) with excellent surround sound and no center.

My setup is pretty good, but not perfect, and I do find things better with a center speaker for me.

 

[thomsbrain]

Sitting in the sweet spot, I once failed to notice that I didn't have my music playing through Dolby Pro Logic. I honestly thought the center channel was playing until I got up and starting walking to the side for something, and it quickly became apparent that it was running in stereo.

How do you like your 805? I bought one and loved the sound quality, but it died after two weeks and had horrible audio lag. I replaced it with a Denon 988, which doesn't sound quite as good but works properly. The 805 had effortless dynamics that the Denon kind of squashes in comparison. I'm sure its a matter of taste, as the Denon sounds "smoother" as a result, but that Onkyo could really kick your ass when you gave it some rock music or a concert DVD.