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Denon AVR-4810CI...What's the deal with the Audyssey DSX 9.1?

#1
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I was looking at the Denon website today and noticed this new receiver.  I went through the tutorial on their Audyssey technology, and was surprised to see that they are now adding a 9.1 system, meaning that you'd have your typical 7.1 setup plus an additional "width" or "height" channel to improve the surround you hear from a movie.  Now I'll admit I don't know a lot about all of this, but I'm just curious....does this even matter if you're listening to a blu-ray player that is streaming Dolby TruHD or DTSHD?  From what I understand, those movies will only put out the specified sound channels that is stated on the box (i.e., 2.0, 5.1, or 7.1).  So this would be more of a thing to use if you're watching a movie on tv, a dvd, or something along those lines.  Is that correct?  If that's the case, seems like kind of a waste to me.  Just curious to those in the know.
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#2
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Actually, Audyssey DSX allows for 11.1.  The top of the line Denon (newest one - don't have the model handy) includes this.  The sound is matrixed to the wide and height speakers.  Dolby has a 9.1 setup called PLIIz.  Not exactly the same thing, but similar ideas.

Weather it makes a difference is the big question.  I don't know anyone that has heard this setup.
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#3
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Personally, I don't see the benefit of turning a 5.1 or 7.1 soundtrack into 9 or 11.  It's not like any material is actually mastered like this, so all of these new systems are just creating their own additinal channels, it's not something that was ever intended by the manufacture of the movie.  Most likely, this would always be an option on these systems.  It will most likely take just about any source, even stereo/mono and generate the additional channels.  The current PLII will generate 7 channels from any source.
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#4
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The effect is probably better than you're thinking. It's not "height" per se. It's more of just an added ambiance. Things don't fly over your head or anything. I just posted a feature on it:

www.hemagazine.com/Dolby_Pro_Logic_IIz_vs_Audyssey_DSX



Editor-in-Chief
Home Entertainment magazine
HEmagazine.com

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#5
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Good article Geoffrey!  So my question is still the same (even though I think you may have answered it in your article) - Will this new surround sound work on current Blu-ray discs that are utilizing either Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD?  In other words, will this technology take these formats and extend the signal, or will it only do this for the older Dolby Digital and DTS MA soundtracks?  I'm looking to upgrade my receiver, and I'm interested in this technology (even though I'm sure my wife won't be happy when she sees me adding another set of speakers). 
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