Comments on: Dolby Pro Logic IIz adds vertical dimension to surround sound

Previous surround schemes project sound in the horizontal plane. Dolby's Pro Logic IIz adds height channel outputs to produce a more enveloping surround experience.

[kyopoboy]

I can't think of a better case study into what is meant by the law of diminishing returns...

[robsachs]

9 speakers in a HT setup? With all that wiring running around, start buying stock in copper mines.

[khicon]

pointless...

[chrkeller]

I was never a believer in 7.1 over 5.1, at least in a normal sized room. So I certainly don't see the point of 9.1.

[tigrzeye]

Great for those who can afford the space and equipment needed. For the average surround sound user, I will quote a previous poster..... pointless!

[humblehifi]

so this is mainly for the user with high ceilings and a good custom installer... I am with poster number three and six on this one... Too much in the way of equipment and set-up... For the average user I don't think it will ever be experienced as it was envisioned due to set-up involved and fine tuning...

[Wes#1]

Dolby keeps trying to enhance it's image every few years with a format revisions. This time, however, they stretched it to a realm where nobody really cares: Enhancing "ambiance and some amorphous effects like rain or wind..." in the FRONT channels. Oh, please! More amps, more wire, and more speakers, just so I can ramp up background effects -- which will compete even more with the dialogue track? Sorry, no. This is Dolby's "new coke"...

[MrGadgetman]

"New Coke"..., lol

[the_iceman]

5.1 & 7.1 are sufficient for me, thanks Dolby. Perhaps 9.1 in a movie theater enviroment works though

[tipoo_]

Probably too expensive for me to bother with, but it would probably be awesome for people who can afford it. imagine hearing thunder crackling above, footsteps below, and so on and so forth :-)

[dennisl59]

We need 11.1...why?, because it goes to ELEVEN!

[sq33g]

I was thinking the same thing, great comment =)

[MrGadgetman]

Here we go again. The mega-channels speaker thing works good in, and I'll go as far as to say, necessary in an IMAX theater perhaps, but for home application it is not very practical. Hell, there aren't that many Blu-ray Disc movies that even support 7.1 though in all fairness several PS3 games do. I bought a Sony 7.1 system but a good 5.1 system will engulf you so well that you don't even notice that there are ONLY 5.1 channels. When a good movie's soundtrack sucks you in and you're on the edge of your seat flinching at the ricocheting crossfire (maybe that's just me!)...., who cares?!
9.1 audio is the answer to a question that nobody asked.
West#1 said it best..., It's the "New Coke"

[planblove]

I guess Dolby won't be satisfied until the audience is completely surrounded in one big circle of speakers.

[adlieb]

Dolby definitely will not be satisfied until you're completely surrounded by speakers. But forget a circle. PLIIz is the start of the Audio sphere concept. The high L/R channels of a system do add a greater depth to the sound stage as Steve mentioned above.

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??).

[dodgeman007]

ok, call me stupid or something but how does an amp rated at 7x90 watts produce 9 channels of audio??? i even looked on the onkyo website and it said nothing about it....

[maung_phyo]

if i am not wrong surround back and front surround will be using same amp which means they will not output sound simultaneously.

[dodgeman007]

wow if thats the case what a half ass job by onkyo...

[hk2000]

5.1 is enough for me. Just like someone above said, even 7.1 soundtracks aren't that common!

[Armz316]

Thanks for Adlieb for clearing things up. I happen to own a Marantz SR5600 'im pretty much contented with my 7.1 system since i have a few dvd's with 6.1 DTS encoded disc. And yes i do have 7 speakers set up plus the sub woofer. but a 9.1 is that to much? will blue ray disc make a surround format up to 9.1? when the current is still up to 7.1. Just asking pal. Take care everyone & God bless you. By the way, is the my system better than Okyo? thanks again, just asking,

[Armz316]

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.