Surround Rears and their function

[Zerohero]

What exactly is their function? I've search around , but have found nothing. I currently have a surround 5.1 system, and I have them placed to the back facing the center of the room. I was expecting a surround feeling while watching movies, but for the most part I just hear ambient sounds, with music, and a few explosions here, and there. Do I have my system set up wrong or something?

 

[mtrycrafts]

What exactly is their function? I've search around , but have found nothing. I currently have a surround 5.1 system, and I have them placed to the back facing the center of the room. I was expecting a surround feeling while watching movies, but for the most part I just hear ambient sounds, with music, and a few explosions here, and there. Do I have my system set up wrong or something?

Well, to start with, did you level match all 5 channels with a test tone and spl meter? That may explain part of the problems.
With music it supposed to give a spacious feel to the sound. Movies depend on the mastering; some are more aggressive than others.
Delos has an interesting DVD I believe it is the Sound Spectacular, includes some of the DD trailers. Now, that has aggressive surrounds

 

[mouettus]

1. Make sure your receiver is correctly set up (5.1 setup, level match (really important; I think yours are set too high for your taste), delay, spkr size, etc.)

2. Go read the article: Surround Speaker Placement (or something like that). I don't think you got them right by placing them facing towards the front wall. They should be angled at you. Mine are facing the front wall... but I got bi-polars. Experience the placement by your own. I remember when I found the right position for mine, movie effects were not the same anymore!!

Hope it helped...

 

[Zerohero]

Well, to start with, did you level match all 5 channels with a test tone and spl meter? That may explain part of the problems.
With music it supposed to give a spacious feel to the sound. Movies depend on the mastering; some are more aggressive than others.
Delos has an interesting DVD I believe it is the Sound Spectacular, includes some of the DD trailers. Now, that has aggressive surrounds

I have not tested it with those meters, I guess I could find one of those at radio shack. The system specs I'm running are below. I've been testing it with movies like Starship troopers in 5.1 dolby digital surround, but most of the sound seems to come from the L,C,R speakers, the rear seems to only produce mono with a few exceptions here and there. I don't feel like I'm emersed within the surround sound .

Stereo: 70w x2 into 8 ohms (40-20k Hz) at 0.8% THD

*
Dual speaker outputs
*
Pro Logic: 60w x3; Surround: 10w x2
*
FM sensitivity 11.2 dBf
*
Remote
*
Direct access tuning
*
30 presets
*
Hall and Stadium modes
*
Bass boost
*
Video dubbing
*
3 audio & 2 video inputs
*
Headphone jack

 

[Johnd]

On average, over 50% (80% of some movies) of the soundtrack emanates from the center channel, and over 80% from the center and mains. Like the others said, check to see if your placement is correct. Movies like Gladiator, Patriot, The Incredibles (there are many others) make you quickly appreciate a 5.1 (or 7.1, better yet) setup.

Finally, you've said "rear" speakers. A 5.1 setup does not have rear surrounds, but it does have side surrounds (they should be placed at the side of your ear, or a little behind, and slightly above ear level). Check the setup guide as others have suggestion, and post your speaker layout for a quick discovery on whether your layout is incorrect or not. Cheers.

 

[Zerohero]

On average, over 50% (80% of some movies) of the soundtrack emanates from the center channel, and over 80% from the center and mains. Like the others said, check to see if your placement is correct. Movies like Gladiator, Patriot, The Incredibles (there are many others) make you quickly appreciate a 5.1 (or 7.1, better yet) setup.

Finally, you've said "rear" speakers. A 5.1 setup does not have rear surrounds, but it does have side surrounds (they should be placed at the side of your ear, or a little behind, and slightly above ear level). Check the setup guide as others have suggestion, and post your speaker layout for a quick discovery on whether your layout is incorrect or not. Cheers.

I think I had my surround speakers not facing the right direction, as soon as I fixed that the sound feels more surround like. Thanks for the help guys.

Another problem I have is clarity, but I think a purchase of a simple equalizer, and possibly a mid rang amp should do the trick unless you guys think otherwise.

 

[ScottMayo]

Another problem I have is clarity, but I think a purchase of a simple equalizer, and possibly a mid rang amp should do the trick unless you guys think otherwise.

This is probably a problem with room acoustics - it almost always is. Unless your gear is absoluely terrible, and most stuff isn't these days, you're describing the effect of room resonances gone bad.

An experiment to try is to cover everything you can with blankets, quilts... lots and lots of thick cloth on as many walls as you can manage. Just string them up on boards leaning against the walls. If things seem a bit clearer, the problem is acoustical. If it all sounds the same, you have bad electronics. If the problem is acoustical, EQ may help (there's arguments about that, which I won't get into); room treatment will definitely help immensely.

 

[Zerohero]

This is probably a problem with room acoustics - it almost always is. Unless your gear is absoluely terrible, and most stuff isn't these days, you're describing the effect of room resonances gone bad.

An experiment to try is to cover everything you can with blankets, quilts... lots and lots of thick cloth on as many walls as you can manage. Just string them up on boards leaning against the walls. If things seem a bit clearer, the problem is acoustical. If it all sounds the same, you have bad electronics. If the problem is acoustical, EQ may help (there's arguments about that, which I won't get into); room treatment will definitely help immensely.

Thanks, I'm hoping its just an acoustical problem, I'm currectly searching for a few equalizers right now.

 

[mouettus]

Thanks, I'm hoping its just an acoustical problem, I'm currectly searching for a few equalizers right now.

Take note that almost every equalizer (let alone Behringer) uses analog signal processing. So you won't be able to "equalize" Dolby stuff...

 

[Zerohero]

Take note that almost every equalizer (let alone Behringer) uses analog signal processing. So you won't be able to "equalize" Dolby stuff...

I just want to make sure I'm correct , but does that mean I can equalize high, and low frequences, just not the surround sound aspect? I like to be in control over certain sound frequences.

 

[Johnd]

No. It means if the signal is digital, you will not be able to equalize it. If the signal is analog (cd's via rca, sacd via 6 interconnects, turntable, etc.). Anytime you pass a signal digitally (via digital vs. analog cables), the signal is digital.

 

[Zerohero]

Ok question then,

My reciever says my surrounds are digital, while the FL, FR, and C are dolby surround pro logic. So does this mean It will only effect those 3 speakers since they would be anolog? Sorry I'm still a nub at this.

Also the reciever is 5.1, but there is no direct input for the "1" subwoofer. So I assume I'm forced to find a sub that has AV jacks for low frequencies?

Thanks

 

[Johnd]

Your premise is a non-sequitor. All sound going to your speakers is analog. Period. It is only in the digital realm from the device to the receiver (if you use digital cables (coax or fiber)), and only until the receiver's dacs convert it to analog.

Also, there will never be a "direct input" into your receiver for the sub. There will be a subwoofer output on the back of the receiver which then sends the signal to the sub.

 

[Zerohero]

Ah I see,

Well its unfortunate that I"m not even using true 5.1 surround sound, I'll have to wait to upgrade a few months though.

Thanks for your help.