Center Image Parameter in NEO 6 Music Mode

[kinne]

Hello,
Can anyone explain (more than is written in the manual) what the center image parameter is supposed to do in Neo 6 Music mode ?

It can be adjusted from (0,0) to (1,0) on my Denon AVR-2106... but what exactly does this mean and what's the difference between the extreme settings?

I don't own a center speaker (yet).

Kinne

Denon AVR-2106 | Denon DVD-1920 | FS>Axiom M3ti # Surr >Axiom QS4 # SB>Technics SB-95CS

 

[MDS]

The Center Image parameter determines how much of the center channel sound goes to the center channel speaker and how much goes to the left and right front speakers. It is analogous to the ProLogic II(x) music mode parameter called Center Width.

I don't understand the range 0,0 to 0,1; there must be settings in between there. I would guess that 0 means all the sound goes to the center speaker and 1 means all the sound goes to the front speakers. 1 is what you want if you don't have a center speaker - that would be what is known as a 'phantom' center. There should be intermediate settings so that you can direct just some of the center to the fronts to widen the soundstage.

For example, on my Onkyo the settings are 0 to 5. 3 is the 'normal' default setting. 5 will emphasize the center and 0 will emphasize the front speakers. On 0, t doesn't quite create a true phantom for me but the center is much lower than it is on the default setting.

I tend to use PLII Music for everything and I have its Center Width just slightly higher than the middle so that a slight bit of the center channel goes to the front speakers. That makes the soundstage slightly wider.

 

[kinne]

About center image settings on AVR-2106

Thanks for your reply !

I don't understand the range 0,0 to 0,1; there must be settings in between there.

Exactly, actually (0,0) and (1,0) are the extreme settings. In-between, there are values like (0,1), (0,2) ... until (0,9) and finally (1,0).​

I tend to use PLII Music for everything <snip>

That's interesting but I suppose that we are talking about personal tastes here. It would be nice to read what other users prefer.
I like the Neo:6 mode because I find that it doesn't add as much "effect" to the sound. It's "easier", PLII tends to "boost" the sound a bit too much for my personal taste.​

Kinne

 

[Nomo]

I prefer PLIIx or even PLII over Neo6. I feel the prologic has a more enveloping sound and gives more control than the simple center width parameter of the it's DTS counterpart.