Listening Modes

[arande2 3]

What listening modes does everyone use? With what content? What component?

As an example..

Pioneer Elite Receiver..

I like to listen to most music in normal stereo. I also like to listen using Pro Logic II or Expanded. When I want to crank it, I use THX because it makes high levels sound much better to me (probably high-end roll-off) and more 'expansive'

For movies, I have recently been using THX because it takes away the harshness so I can run it louder (-12 to -15 on volume vs. -20 to -24) and it sounds much better than way. Even better, the realism also seems to be much improved in terms of where sounds come from, especially when sounds are moving around the room.

For games, I usually run it on 'Advanced Game' and all the sounds come from where they're supposed to. I have not tried other settings, though.

I have found that I do not like the way the direct mode sounds as the stereo image is no longer 'coherent' and it sounds like it is coming out of the speakers rather than appearing as a sound image like it should.

I also do not have a subwoofer, and I believe this may affect my listening choices. I also must comment that the Pioneer does much better with DSP settings (like Unplugged, Ext. Stereo, Rock/Pop, etc..) than my old receiver, probably because of the auto calibration and its features. I can also stress the importance of timbre matching speakers, and how it makes a huge difference in the 'seamless' movement of sound effects around the room.

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Yours don't need to be as detailed, of course..

[Deephaven 19]

Pure Audio for music and whatever encoding the receiver selects on the digital audio for movies.

[Se7en 4]

Pure Audio for music and whatever encoding the receiver selects on the digital audio for movies.

Pure two channel. Come to think about it, I don't think that I own any 5.1 equipment at all.

[JimJ 1]

The only modes my stuff has is either "on" or "off"

[alan monro 33]

What listening modes does everyone use? With what content? What component?

As an example..

Pioneer Elite Receiver..

I like to listen to most music in normal stereo. I also like to listen using Pro Logic II or Expanded. When I want to crank it, I use THX because it makes high levels sound much better to me (probably high-end roll-off) and more 'expansive'

For movies, I have recently been using THX because it takes away the harshness so I can run it louder (-12 to -15 on volume vs. -20 to -24) and it sounds much better than way. Even better, the realism also seems to be much improved in terms of where sounds come from, especially when sounds are moving around the room.

For games, I usually run it on 'Advanced Game' and all the sounds come from where they're supposed to. I have not tried other settings, though.

I have found that I do not like the way the direct mode sounds as the stereo image is no longer 'coherent' and it sounds like it is coming out of the speakers rather than appearing as a sound image like it should.

I also do not have a subwoofer, and I believe this may affect my listening choices. I also must comment that the Pioneer does much better with DSP settings (like Unplugged, Ext. Stereo, Rock/Pop, etc..) than my old receiver, probably because of the auto calibration and its features. I can also stress the importance of timbre matching speakers, and how it makes a huge difference in the 'seamless' movement of sound effects around the room.

---------

Yours don't need to be as detailed, of course..

Gooday Arande . I listen to music in stereo . I love a good detailed sound stage . But,I carry around a mono Sangean U1 (a big heavy monster) It is used to death around the pool , workshop and any where , nothing like a bit of toe tapping in the toilet .Iplug a ipod into it sometimes , listen to any music . As a matter of fact i am listening to it now in the bedroom while on this computer keyboard . alan

[satwilson 2]

What listening modes does everyone use? With what content? What component?

As an example..

Pioneer Elite Receiver..

I like to listen to most music in normal stereo. I also like to listen using Pro Logic II or Expanded. When I want to crank it, I use THX because it makes high levels sound much better to me (probably high-end roll-off) and more 'expansive'

For movies, I have recently been using THX because it takes away the harshness so I can run it louder (-12 to -15 on volume vs. -20 to -24) and it sounds much better than way. Even better, the realism also seems to be much improved in terms of where sounds come from, especially when sounds are moving around the room.

For games, I usually run it on 'Advanced Game' and all the sounds come from where they're supposed to. I have not tried other settings, though.

I have found that I do not like the way the direct mode sounds as the stereo image is no longer 'coherent' and it sounds like it is coming out of the speakers rather than appearing as a sound image like it should.

I also do not have a subwoofer, and I believe this may affect my listening choices. I also must comment that the Pioneer does much better with DSP settings (like Unplugged, Ext. Stereo, Rock/Pop, etc..) than my old receiver, probably because of the auto calibration and its features. I can also stress the importance of timbre matching speakers, and how it makes a huge difference in the 'seamless' movement of sound effects around the room.

---------

Yours don't need to be as detailed, of course..

Although I own a B&K AVP2000,5.1 preamp, most of my listening is done in direct stereo. This seems to be a personal choice for most forum members and strong opinions abound. I agree with your comments concerning timbre matching speakers for surround and do enjoy 5.1 for HT and although I don't do any gaming myself surround would certainly make sense. One last thought, get a good subwoofer and all your listening experiences be it stereo or multichannel will be much more enjoyable and realistic.

[todd.brust 106]

Music in stereo only.

Don't have anything beyond stereo right now. In the future it is a plan on 5.1 at the very least for movies and games.