Using the Surround modes

The TX-DS656 provides a variety of surround effects, enabling you to enjoy the feeling of a movie theater, concert hall or studio in your room.

To get optimized surround sounds, your speaker system plays an important role. For how to connect and setup speakers, see "Connecting speakers" (on page 15) and "Speaker system setup" (on page 21).

DSP (Digital Signal Processor)

The DSP converts the musical signal into digital form and produces reflected sound from the digital signal. This is applied to the musical signal to yield an effect approaching that of a live performance.

Note:

The concert hall effect is produced from the reflections and reverberations contained in the original recording. These are converted into reflected sound that is reproduced from four directions. Thus, in some cases an unnatural impression can be conveyed if there are too few reflections in the recording or if the effects in the original recording were produced artificially.

	Ceiling reflections
Stage	Wall
reflections	reflections
	Direct sound

Wall reflections

Surround modes

The TX-DS656 features the following Surround modes:

DOLBY DIGITAL

Use this mode to playback sources bearing logo, such as DVD software.

To enjoy Dolby Digital playback, you need to connect your source equipment to the one of the DIGITAL INPUT connectors or the MULTI CHANNEL INPUT connector of the TX-DS656. If connection is made properly, the Dolby Digital surround mode will be set automatically.

Dolby Digital is a new-generation digital audio format for multi-channel surround audio.

Adding to conventional five full range channels, Dolby Digital supports one LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel, which is used solely for correcting the bass range by using an independent subwoofer. Dolby Digital is sometimes referred to as 5.1-channel format since this LFE channel is calculated as 0.1.

During Dolby Digital playback, the following functions are available:

•Cinema Re-Equalization (Cinema Re-EQ) function Re-Equalization takes the edginess or "brighteness" out of your

home cinema sound, compensating for the fact that sound mixed for theaters will sound too bright when played back throuth speakers in the home environment.

•Midnight Theater function

This function is useful for playing at midnight. In the Midnight Theater mode, the dynamic range of sound is narrowed to reproduce natural sounds at low sound volumes.

•LFE (Low Frequency Effects) function

In the LFE mode, the low-frequency range is attenuated by 10 dB to reduce overemphasized bass sound.

DOLBY PRO LOGIC

Use this mode to playback sources bearing logo, such as stereo VHS, VHS-Hi-Fi, laser discs, and DVD video software. Dolby Pro Logic Surround provides four channels of surround sound (Left/Right front, Center, and monaural Surround channels), with importance placed on the Center speaker.

During Dolby Pro Logic playback, the Cinema Re-Equalization function is available.

Other surround modes

The TX-DS656 also features other surround modes that Onkyo has designed for playback of sources other than Dolby Surround. These surround modes can be adjusted by setting the proper parameters to create your favorite sound field.

•HALL Surround

This mode is especially suitable for media already having a substantial amount of reverberation such as classical music. The atmosphere of a concert hall can be simulated.

•LIVE Surround

This mode reproduces the feeling of a live performance.

•ARENA Surround

This mode recreates the feel of listening to a pop concert in a domed stadium.

•STUDIO Surround

This mode is perfect for studio recordings that may have few reverberations such as pop or jazz music.

For speaker systems with a Left/Right front and Center speakers

•DOLBY 3 STEREO

In this mode, you can hear sound recorded for surround channels from the Left and Right speakers.

•STEREO

You can turn off the Surround function by selecting this mode to enjoy ordinary stereo sound.