Marantz 7005 Audyssey DSX 9.1 Processing

[420audio]

Hi Everyone! This is my first post. I am VERY glad to be able to reach out for help on this.

The "Outlaw Users Guide" for my new Marantz AV7005 preamp provides the following about Audyssey DSX 9.1 processing:

"The AV7005 supports Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX. These two modes expand multichannel audio beyond the seven full-range channels we are used to. Both modes offer a pair of Front Height channels (speakers located above the front speakers). Audyssey DSX also offers a pair of Front Wide channels, located between the front and side surround speakers. The AV7005 provides unbalanced pre-amp outputs for all four of these speakers, and these speakers can be configured along with the seven traditional channels (fronts, center, side surrounds, and back surrounds). Because the AV7005 is a 7.1-channel processor, however, it is only possible to operate seven speakers at a time. As a result, surround back speakers will not be active when Pro Logic IIz or Audyssey DSX is in use, and Audyssey DSX can provide either front height or front wide channels at any given time (not both at once)."

I am confused with the phrase " … Audyssey DSX can provide either front height or front wide channels at any given time (not both at once)." Exactly what does this mean? For example, during playback does this mean that the signal flips between the front height and front wide speakers intermittently? Or, does it mean that throughout playback the signal just stays on one or the other of the speakers, front height or front wide? If it flips intermittently between the front height or front wide speakers during playback, what determines or governs that processing? On the other hand, if one or the other (height or wide) is engaged throughout playback what determines or governs that?

Many thanks!

 

[MDS]

I am confused with the phrase " … Audyssey DSX can provide either front height or front wide channels at any given time (not both at once)." Exactly what does this mean? For example, during playback does this mean that the signal flips between the front height and front wide speakers intermittently? Or, does it mean that throughout playback the signal just stays on one or the other of the speakers, front height or front wide? If it flips intermittently between the front height or front wide speakers during playback, what determines or governs that processing? On the other hand, if one or the other (height or wide) is engaged throughout playback what determines or governs that?

In the menu system you have to decide which one you want to use. Just like receivers that support a powered zone 2, you 'assign' the speaker post to the function of your choice. So you choose either front "high" speakers or front "wide" speakers.

 

[420audio]

OK! So, in the menu speaker setup I will disable front wide, and enable front high. Thus, that leaves me with the following: surround back (2, left/right), surround side (2, left/right), front (2, left/right), front high (2, left/right) and center (1) for a total of 9 channels.

This leads me to the resulting further confusion. To restate the information from the "Outlaw Users Guide" from my initial post, it says: "Because the AV7005 is a 7.1-channel processor, however, it is only possible to operate seven speakers at a time. As a result, surround back speakers will not be active when Pro Logic IIz or Audyssey DSX is in use … ."

What does the phrase "surround back speakers will not be active" mean? If the surround back speakers are totally dropped (not active), am I not back to 7 channels? What happened to my nine channels? Where did the surround back channel go? Is there some sort of intermittent flipping between the surround back and front high channels going on?

Gratefully …

 

[agarwalro]

It means, in either of the two operating modes, the LB and RB speakers will not produce any sound.

The processor has number crunching power to handle 7 simultaneous channels. To free up processing power to create the Heights (in PLZ) and Heights and Wides (in DSX) channels, the processing of the Rear Surrounds is dropped. So when it says not active, it means even if the LB and RB tracks are present on the DVD/BD they will not be processed/output. Further, when it says DSX Heights or Wides, but not both, it means exactly that. When DSX is engaged, the processor will only output on one of the two pairs of channels. Think of it this way, of the 11 speakers in the diagram above, you get L ,C, R, LS and RS for sure and one of LB-RB/LH-RH/LW-RW.

Fyi, Audessy recommends using Wides before Heights.

 

[420audio]

Thanks! This is very helpful!