ENGLISH

18 ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONOptimum surround sound for different sources

There are currently various types of multi-channel signals (signals or formats with more than two channels).

2Types of multi-channel signals

Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, DTS, high definition 3-1 signals (Japan MUSE Hi-Vision audio), DVD-Audio, SACD (Super Audio CD), MPEG multi- channel audio, etc.

“Source” here does not refer to the type of signal (format) but the recorded content. Sources can be divided into two major categories.

2Types of sources
• Movie audio

Signals created to be played in movie theaters. In general sound is recorded to be played in movie theaters equipped

 

with multiple surround speakers, regardless of the format (Dolby Digital, DTS, etc.).

Movie theater sound field

FL SW C

FR

Listening room sound field

 

 

SL

SR

FL

SW C

FR

 

 

SL

 

SR

SB

SB

Multiple surround speakers

(For 6.1-channel system)

In this case it is important to achieve the same sense of expansion as in a movie theater with the surround channels. To do so, in some cases the number of surround speakers is increased (to four or eight) or speakers with bipolar or dipolar properties are used.

SL: Surround L channel

SR: Surround R channel

SB: Surround back channel

• Other types of audio These signals are designed to recreate a 360° sound field using three to five speakers.

FL

SW

C

FR

In this case the speakers should surround the listener from all sides to create a uniform sound field from 360°. Ideally the surround speakers should function as “point” sound sources in the same way as the front speakers.

SLSR

These two types of sources thus have different properties, and different speaker settings, particularly for the surround speakers, are required in order to achieve the ideal sound.

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