This is nothing to do with down mixing. You're streaming. Forget the mix. That is a distraction. Find a better source.
Downmix Dilemmas
Hi Friends,
I’m here to listen to your experiences of hardwares and softwares down mixing surround into 2.0.
I went for years without watching films at home, not even having a display, and naturally covid changed all that. I set up a very nice projector ceiling mounted, with a black screen between my Zu Druids, stuffed it with rock wool, spaced it off the wall, it makes for a great baffle. Black Fabric is really the way to go, I use Rose Brand Boost 122.
Being a 2 channel system, I’m starting to notice some serious congestion in my downmixes on some films while streaming. Recently watched Godzilla, KOTM on HBO Max (I actually had the pleasure of working on it). The SPLs kept dropping out when there was a lot of action. It's to the point where the congestion is a distraction. And when I say congestion, we all know I mean intermodulation distortion, plain and simple, from siphoning 5, 7, or an atmos number of channels through two.
I did wire this room for 6.1 (I wouldn’t want two speakers on my rear wall for aesthetic reasons), but am not entirely sold on adding more speakers to my space, even if they're little gallos.
I’m really just using a Roku stick right now, set to PCM stereo, and not every streaming service offers me the option of 2.0 vs surround soundtracks. If this Roku is doing the down mix, well it’s doing a pretty bad job.
But before I go spending more money, are there devices that make cleaner mixes, or is the whole process just inherently broken? I’d go pre/pro with room correction if I really needed to, but this Denon S10 set I use (including the CDP as my DAC) is just so nice to look at, and I had to wait FOREVER to find a set in 120v. Replacing it feels like throwing away years of patience.
Would a Shield TV Pro do any better than my Roku? An Apple TV? PS5 (had one, scalped it lol). Mac mini is out, I believe, they make HTPC use cumbersome. I just really want all the streams, easily, without having some clunky third party interface.
Best,
Matt
Roku Streaming stick as media source
Panasonic PT-AR100U Projector
DVDO iScan VP30 to break out the coaxial from HDMI
coaxial audio into Denon DCD-S10
PRA S10 Preamplifier
Sony TA-N77ES amplifier (My POA-S10’s are getting overhauled)
Zu Druid V, 2x 25Ω resistors on each.
91’ screen, stuffed with rock wool, spaced off wall 3"
I’m here to listen to your experiences of hardwares and softwares down mixing surround into 2.0.
I went for years without watching films at home, not even having a display, and naturally covid changed all that. I set up a very nice projector ceiling mounted, with a black screen between my Zu Druids, stuffed it with rock wool, spaced it off the wall, it makes for a great baffle. Black Fabric is really the way to go, I use Rose Brand Boost 122.
Being a 2 channel system, I’m starting to notice some serious congestion in my downmixes on some films while streaming. Recently watched Godzilla, KOTM on HBO Max (I actually had the pleasure of working on it). The SPLs kept dropping out when there was a lot of action. It's to the point where the congestion is a distraction. And when I say congestion, we all know I mean intermodulation distortion, plain and simple, from siphoning 5, 7, or an atmos number of channels through two.
I did wire this room for 6.1 (I wouldn’t want two speakers on my rear wall for aesthetic reasons), but am not entirely sold on adding more speakers to my space, even if they're little gallos.
I’m really just using a Roku stick right now, set to PCM stereo, and not every streaming service offers me the option of 2.0 vs surround soundtracks. If this Roku is doing the down mix, well it’s doing a pretty bad job.
But before I go spending more money, are there devices that make cleaner mixes, or is the whole process just inherently broken? I’d go pre/pro with room correction if I really needed to, but this Denon S10 set I use (including the CDP as my DAC) is just so nice to look at, and I had to wait FOREVER to find a set in 120v. Replacing it feels like throwing away years of patience.
Would a Shield TV Pro do any better than my Roku? An Apple TV? PS5 (had one, scalped it lol). Mac mini is out, I believe, they make HTPC use cumbersome. I just really want all the streams, easily, without having some clunky third party interface.
Best,
Matt
Roku Streaming stick as media source
Panasonic PT-AR100U Projector
DVDO iScan VP30 to break out the coaxial from HDMI
coaxial audio into Denon DCD-S10
PRA S10 Preamplifier
Sony TA-N77ES amplifier (My POA-S10’s are getting overhauled)
Zu Druid V, 2x 25Ω resistors on each.
91’ screen, stuffed with rock wool, spaced off wall 3"
5 responses Add your response