Dolby Pro Logic IIz adds vertical dimension to surround sound
Dolby has a new surround format: Pro Logic IIz.
Here we go again. Another new format with more speakers, but this time, the "surround" speakers are in the front of the room, three or four feet above the left-and right-main speakers. These height channels are designed to provide a greater sense of envelopment than previous generations of Dolby or DTS surround.
With Pro Logic IIz, some receivers will produce 9.1 channel surround.
(Credit: Dolby)Pro Logic IIz incorporates all of the features and capabilities of Pro Logic IIx.
"Expanding on established Dolby Pro Logic II matrix-decoding innovations, Dolby Pro Logic IIz identifies and decodes spatial cues that occur naturally in all content--stereo and 5.1 broadcast, music CDs, DVDs, 5.1 and 7.1 Blu-ray Discs, and video games," the Dolby site further explains. "Dolby Pro Logic IIz processes low-level, uncorrelated information--such as ambiance and some amorphous effects like rain or wind--and directs it to the front height speakers."
(Credit:
Dolby)
You don't have to buy new, specially encoded discs to experience Pro Logic IIz, but do you really want to buy another pair of speakers, wall-mount them, and run a pair of speaker wires up your wall, to the sides of your TV?
Dolby doesn't require the height speakers to be identical to the main-left or -right speakers. Some Pro Logic IIz systems will use a total of nine speakers (five front, four rear), plus one or more subwoofers.
Onkyo's TX-SR607 ($599 MSRP) is the first receiver to feature Pro Logic IIz; the company will soon offer additional models equipped with the new Dolby processor, to be announced later this year.
Onkyo's TX-SR607, Pro Logic IIz equipped.
(Credit: Onkyo)Then again, Yamaha's higher-end receivers have had height, aka "Presence," channels for years. Those extra speakers supplement the sound from the front speakers with ambient effects produced by Yamaha's proprietary Cinema DSP, which provides various multichannel configurations up to 11 channels. Obviously, Dolby's Pro Logic IIz uses different technology, though the end result may be similar.
I haven't yet heard Dolby Pro Logic IIz, but I have a lot of experience with Yamaha's system. The Presence speakers really do "open up" the front sound stage and provide greater depth. This, in some ways, makes more sense than rear-surround channels; most listening rooms don't have enough space behind the couch for rear speakers. Extra front speakers seem to better correlate to the onscreen image (the visuals are in front of you). Pro Logic IIz or Yamaha presence speakers don't replace side- and/or rear-surround speakers.
Then again, if the idea of doing more with less appeals to you, consider the stereo home theater option, aka HT 2.0.
Steve Guttenberg is a frequent contributor to magazines and Web sites including Home Entertainment, Playback, and Ultimate AV. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. 
9.1 audio is the answer to a question that nobody asked.
West#1 said it best..., It's the "New Coke"
Please don't knock it until you've heard it though. I had the fantastic experience and opportunity to actually hear the 10.2 system that Audyssey and THX have been developing and it truly is better. While it is not exactly the Dolby PLIIz surround sound mode, it's the same concept. I had one of Tomlinson Holman?s former partners at Audyssey demo for me at CES this January, a 7.1 Jazz hall recording(I don't remember the female artists name in the clip), and then the 10.2 system in an A and B session. The added depth of the front stage really had the ?you are there? feeling. Not that 7.1 is bad, it?s amazing, however compared to the 10.2 system, it lacked the ?live? feeling of the High L/R channels. The added presence speakers deepen the sound stage and come about a close as possible to a REALISTIC live sound.
We really shouldn't be knocking Dolby, Onkyo, Yamaha, or any other company that continues to push the audio envelope. Additionally, those out there that are going to take the time and spend the money to get a 9.x system installed in their family room or theater or basement or studio apartment should be celebrated, not hated on by those who choose not to listen.
Furthermore, this PLIIz surround sound mode is being introduced on a mid-range Onkyo receiver, not a separates system, not their Integra line, and not on their 70X and higher receivers. The TS-XR607 mid range receiver with 90 watts per channel, is probably going to be powering sub/sat speaker systems, where adding 2 more channels isn't breaking the bank on a system. It's probably increasing the cost somewhere between 5 to 15%. Now I'm generalizing, but you get the point.
Just as a side note, I'm not an Onkyo fanboy of any sort, I'm actually a Denon CI certified installer . I have a piece of Onkyo's product, as I have pieces of many manufacturers. All I'm saying is that we're in the 21st century and its important to push the Home Theater Envelope as far as we can.
For my final note, I'd also like to point out that Vinyl rules, 2 channel MUSIC is the jam, and stereo sound will be always dominate the masses (headphones anyone??).
- by Armz316 August 11, 2009 8:52 AM PDT
- By the way, is my system better than Oknyo? just asking. i'm a bit sleepy that's why i had a few errors on my last question. thanks everyone.
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