I read David Ranada (?) once did it, and many people thought it wasn't worth it. The idea is simple. Run the signal through a Dolby Digital / DTS receiver, then take the rears output and decode it with Dolby Pro-Logic 3 mode. That way you end up with 3 front channels (discrete) and 3 rear channels (matrix decoded). I doubt that's the way THX-EX is recorded, but I guess I could try it if it's worth it. Thanks! Javier.
If you end up with the L-R surrounds being matrixed instead of discrete, that's a point against trying it. Three mediocre channels in place of two good ones is not an equitable trade off. But it won't hurt to experiment.
It just does not compare to real DTS-ES Discrete, DTS-ES matrix, and Dolby Digital EX matrix decoding. Not as precise. Dan
Thanks for your thoughts, they do make a lot of sense. What do you think about adding extra speakers to the rear without the system being 6.1? Does that help or destroy the soundstaging? I did a search, and I am surprised there aren't many opinions about doing such a thing. Thanks again!
Well, I have both! I have a PL receiver processing my EX/ES channels and I have 4 surrounds (2 Left and 2 right) as well as my 2 EX/ES speakers and I love the results! Don't be afraid to try something new! See my site for more details!My Theater Wes
Wes, thanks so much for the link, it'll be very useful. I'll try a couple of things. After all, I think the most important thing of all is for me to like the system, no?
Javier: What you are describing is exactly the way Dolby Digital Surround EX is decoded in the movie theater. Although DTS ES Matrix uses a slighlty different decoding matrix, use of a pro logic decoder was officially sanctioned by DTS when the first receivers with DTS-ES decode capability came on the market. Only DTS-ES Discrete cannot be decoded by this method. However, DTS-ES Discrete is a redundant system and the rear center channel information is also matrix encoded, so it can be recovered through the use of a pro logic type decoder. Jeff Hipps Sherwood America
Jeff, thank you so much for your answer. It was most helpful! Do you know if Dolby's scheme is similar to that of DTS? I seem to remember it isn't, but it won't hurt to experiment, I'm sure. Javier.
Derek, I have noticed all of your links for homebrew EX setups are no longer working! Just thought you might like to know. Wes
Javier I read a David Ranada article and came away thinking he thought it was a good thing to do if you had an extra ProLogic receiver laying around. I basically ignored it for a year or more then decided I wanted to hear for myself what it had to offer. Set up was pretty simple with help from some of the people who have already responded to you. I had another speaker to put behind the couch. Let me tell you, I played Gladiator and haven't considered changing back to 5.1. The only think I have to remember is when I play a VHS or watch TV in stereo, I have to change the mode of the DPL receiver to stereo from ProLogic. For me this has proven to be an excellent use of equipment that was not being used and isn't worth much in the market place. I can get all the volume I want out of this set-up and have taken a load off my main receiver. Artie
Hello all. I've thought about doing this myself. However, I have the Yamaha htr-5280 that has the EX/ES decoding but with no output for the surround back channel. If I engage this decoding along with this quasi-6.1 setup, will it yield better results? Thanks. Aaron Garman
I used one of these (which I am selling over in the 4-sale section) for about a year with very good results. (click here for thread in 4-sale area)
Hello all. Actually the dumb thing about this unit is that there is NO PREAMP out for the back surround. If I had that, I'd be all set. Grrrrrrr. Aaron Garman
Arthur, thanks for your insights! I'll definitely try and set up my system just like you described. I'm pretty much convinced by now to try it. I just need to get some extra speakers for the center channel
