Is 2 channel sounded brighter than PL II for movies?

[Mancave]

Is it me? If I run a movie as 2 channel stereo, with no center, would that make them sound brighter on a movie with 5.1? I turned it back to PL Movie and it sounded better (I added the center back.) Is it because I'm not inundated from both sides on PL II as opposed to center channel?

Am I supposed to run my movies in PL II or "Pro Logic." I have both settings. Thanks for help.

 

[markw]

PL2 essentially "mushes up" a two channel signal and attempt to create a multi-channel experience. This is akin to attempting sex without a partner and the results may not meet your hopes but if that's the only option you have for surround sound, it may be better than nothing.

But, stereo should be feeding a clean, ungimmicked signal to your front two speakers. If you don't want a quasi MC experience and the cleanest sound, that's the way to go.

Ideally. you should be using DD or DTS for movies given the choice. But, PLII might have a somewat pleasing effect on some movies if the two digital formats are not available.

 

[j_garcia]

Unless the material was actually mastered in Dolby Pro Logic for processing via something like PL2/x/z, I've found that YES it will come out sounding like a blanket was tossed over it. Stereo signals typically will not quite sound as good in PLII to me, while Dolby Pro can sound pretty good.

I agree with Mark, if you want clean sound and the signal is stereo, use stereo. Are you not using a digital connection? That's the only way to get true surround.