ProMedia 5.1 Inquiries and Problems

[Mashei]

Hello,

I just have three simple questions I would like to ask about the ProMedia 5.1 speaker system. I purchased this only days ago and everything is hooked up properly. I am using a Sound Blaster Live! X-Gamer for a sound card.

1) Is there any way for the ProMedia 5.1 to support digital output? I have tried numerous things without luck and it just strikes me odd that a system so pricey would not support digital output.

2) Does the center channel only play audio when a sound is coded to be located directly in front of the user or can it be used like all the other speakers as always active? It would seem to me that the center channel is vital to the setup and if you have five speakers you shoud be able to use all of them all the time. The center channel only plays audio when I execute sound test and demonstrations, not with normal tasks such as music and games.

3) I recently noticed that my left subwoofer driver is emitting hideous, garbled distortion sounds instead of the rich bass it used to. I have not put any stress on the system (I haven't owned them long enough to do so) or abused them it any manner. This only occurs in the left driver. Is this a manufacturing defect? Is it possible to get it fixed locally or is a replacement the only option?

Thank you for listening. I know I am only another person with their problems, but I highly respect anyone who is kind and mature enough to assist a complete stranger with their struggles.

[The_Shark]

Mashei,

According to Klipsh's spec sheet for the 5.1's they only support "Six analog discrete channels (three stereo miniplugs)" Which means no digital in ... sorry. That also means that the center channel will only work when then sound is encoded for 5.1. To be able to use digital out you need to have a device that has the DTS decoder built into it i.e. a home theater receiver. Several companies make 5.1 powered speaker sets that have the DTS decoder built into them. As for you last question it's my opinion that yes Klipsch has issues with the design (heat build up in sub) and /or manufacturing (out of box failures) of the Promedia sub. It's a shame because the Promedia's sound so good!

Cheers,

The_Shark

[Mashei]

Thanks for the information

I figured that might have been the case all along. Does digital sound infinitely better than analog or is it really not distinguishable? My sound card supposedly has the decoder in it, but is there a device that would work with the ProMedia 5.1?

As for the subwoofer, I really haven't done anything strenuous to the system so far so I would be very sad if this was NOT just a fluke in design. I sure hope they will replace it =/. It worked good for the first day I had it but then it suddenly got garbled.

One very concerning comment about the center channel though, if it only reproduces digital output and ProMedia 5.1 doesn't support digital, why then can I hear the center channel loud and clear when I click on the speaker test button of my Creative Mixer? It clearly speaks out of the center channel and further testing allows me to produce sounds centrally as well. All this is still in analog mode, so why can't I set the center channel to -naturally- produce common sounds.

By "-naturally-" I mean with regular hookup. I swapped virtually every wire possible to make the most backwards-sounding setup and got all five speakers to produce analog sound including the center channel. However, this trickery does not come without a hitch: the center channel also plays for the rear right channel in addition to the tricked out rear right channel.

This message has been edited by Mashei on 08-18-2001 at 01:08 PM

[The_Shark]

Mashei,

You are correct the Creative Live 5.1 series does have the built in decoder and by using the Promedia 5.1's you'll get the same sound as if you enabled the digital out on the Live 5.1 sound card and used a home theater receiver or a set a powered speakers with the DTS decoder built in like the Altec Lansing ADA-890's. The only difference is where the decoding is taking place. In your case the sound card is doing the decoding. If you used the digital out then the DTS receiver would do the decoding. And no matter where the decoding takes place the final signal that drives the speaker is an analog signal. There is a digital to analog conversion that takes place before the signal is amplified and sent to the speaker. So you are currently enjoying full digital sound... enjoy!

Hope this helps!

The_Shark

[Mashei]

*Raises an eyebrow in interest*

Well, I was wondering how much better digital sounded because I am quite satisfied (if not blow away... hmm literally) with the current quality. That certainly is a relief

Now if I can just get a replacement sub. Would I be required to pack the whole system up and send it back or just the sub? Either way it's not a problem. I'm obsessive so I saved even the original packing tape. Perhaps a cooling device could prevent future problems.

[iXtreme]

Actually digital / analog is not really that different. Why you ask, because speaker wire is analog so no matter how digital the connect between sources is it's still analog when it comes out the speakers.

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System specs:

Technics SADX940 DD/DTS

Technics SLDP8 CD Changer

Technics RS TR373 Deck

CV E708's FRONT & REAR

CV E76C CENTER

CV HT10 SUB

MONSTERCABLE CONNECTS & PINS

RCA 27" & HIFI VCR & DVD

DIGITAL DTS DTV SATT.

Computer system:

ProMedia 4.1's

MONSTERCABLE WIRE & PINS/JACKS