tommyboy

Well, I guess I'm just behind the power curve here then. I had never heard of this sound mode. I agree with Youthman and wouldn't want to add any speakers that weren't run by a discrete signal................

LOL, ya that's me in my avatar. I'm with Youthman. I also think that BD is worth the 10 extra bucks. I always rent them first if I've never seen them before though. (they were out of bond and bolt BD) I've bought too many dvd's without seeing them first, and they end up sucking......... And obviously you can't return an open movie............

I'll take one!

Well, we just watched Bolt on DVD in DD sound, and with the surrounds at their regular 0.5 db level, it sounded GREAT! Maybe it was just the Bond flick. I'm just thrown for a loop because like I said, I've never had to raise the surround level for DTS before...........

Whew... I thought you were going to start singing "I'm too sexy for the beach...too sexy for the beach...too sexy for the beach, soooo sexy let's meeeeeet...." Hardly, think of sexy.. then think opposite and then you are very close of what I look like.. I don't believe you! Prove it and change your avatar!!!

I'm sure you have. This is probably the 3rd time a thread like this has come/gone around............

Not sure what your budget is, but here's a good deal on an open box one............ http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=93223

Here's a link....... http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-10194324-47.html

Well Mike, here I am. It's a bad pic, but going through our pix on the computer, I realized that's the ONLY one I have of just me....... So much for keeping my identity top secret!

Here's a couple quotes: (playing a game) I first heard the copter from behind, then it gradually moved over head. As I tilted my character's head up, the copter appeared onscreen, right where my ears told me it would be. I was able to track its movements by ear, just as if a real copter were circling. What I heard next blew me away. During the opening scene of Ratatouille, in which a rainstorm drenches the French country side, it sounded like I was standing in the middle of a real downpour. Conventional 5 or 7.1 sounded like rain was comng from the sides on the room-an affect that seemed acceptable before but now sounded hokey by comparison. Any surround sound aficionado who hears a Pro Logic IIz demo will instantly realize that the ht sound systems we've been listening too are missing something

I read about this in Sound and Vision today. There's no more surrounds, but two "height" channels in the front. They are set at least 3' above the mains. The way it works is there is a discrete channel, just like the surrounds, that allows the processor to send signals to the speakers. They said it was pretty cool with video games, and cool with movies also. Not so much with music. Basically, say there's a helicopter taking off, it would go from the mains, to the "height" channels, and provide more of a ............. "enveloping sound". I'm a little bit skeptical, but they said that once you've watched a movie in this sound mode, normal 5.1 or 7.1 will sound "collapsed". Onkyo's supposed to start manufacturing receivers with this capability in the very near future. (within the next couple of months) Anyone else heard anything about this new 9.1 stuff???

LMAO! [Y]

I read this and put them back on. She asked me why, and I told her because of the kids. Not just ours, but my sister has a 1.5 year old who comes over quite often, and I didn't want to push my luck, or be putting them on just when she comes over with her kids........... so, grills are back on now!

As far as I know, none of the regulars around here have Mirage speakers........... I have no experience with them.

I just couldn't really hear the surrounds.............. until I turned them up

I don't see why the Pioneer wouldn't power your speakers............... As far as your speaker question; I've never heard either one,so I can't give any advice. As far as bi amping on you Pioneer goes. I tried it on mine, and it did make a difference in bass, but that was it. But if your'e running subs, then to me it doesn't really matter.

Is it just my system, or did you have the same.......... issue? I usually have my surrounds at 0.5 db's, but had to turn them up to 2.5 listening in DTS. (standard DVD) I thought this was quite odd seeing as I've never had to turn them up during a DTS playback...................

That's Home Theater redefined!!!

I can't offer much help, but for more punch, I would recommend slowly trying your x over at higher Hz. You have it at 80, so try 90, then 100, etc. But at the same time, trying to get more punch may take away from the lower end of things...............

This is a really bad idea. About the only way you could use both centers would be to use the RC64 up front, and maybe use the RC62 in the rear as a single rear surround speaker. But don't put both of them up front.............

Well, how did your meeting go??? [*-)]

I'm not sure if you'd hear any difference at all. (but don't quote me on that) Why not just keep your current receiver and get a power/external amp? I think you'd have much better results this way.......

IMHO, Pioneer is a great option also, but is also better on the HT side on things. Music sounded good before the Rotel, but now it sounds GREAT!!! I second what Youthman said about C list. I know in my local area NOW is the time to buy!!! The lowest I've seen my Rotel anywhere else (Ebay, Audiogon, etc.) used was about 220 bucks, and I paid less than half that on C list............... Also look around our Garage sale section here. Every now and then a great buy on a used receiver pops up............

Used equipment is also an option. Like I said, I got a GREAT deal on my Rotel! And some other gear.................

You mean Emotiva amps? I've never heard or owned one, but they're sworn by by a few forum members here. I didn't get one because I came across a GREAT deal on my Rotel....... Yes, the Emotiva will be compatible with your receiver as long as it has preouts as described earlier in the thread, and yes, you'd let the Emotiva run your mains, and the receiver push the rest. Or, if you have the extra cash, get a 3 channel amp to run the front soundstage. (L,C,R)