THX or PLII?

[MikeDel]

Just a few thoughts.

I recently purchased a Onkyo 801 receiver and was wondering if there is anyone who prefers either sound field. (The rec does not have PLIIx) Personally, I don't hear much of a difference in either mode. I must admit, I do not have much of a discriminating ear. I been reading that THX is really a marketing tool and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this?

My speaker setup is CSI5, RTI8's and 4 FXI3's for surround and back with a Vel CHT-15 sub.

Thanks,
Mike D:confused:

[PolkWannabie]

Mike,

For non DolbyD sources I personally prefer PLII or PLIIX, for music DIRECT would be my first choice, followed by Neo:6.

Also to the best of my knowledge THX is a set of standards not an encoding/decoding methodology.

[dorokusai]

THX will not change your life.

[scottvamp]

Mike, that is a nice unit - don't let the "DSP's" tie you up. The THX DSP's sound like crap to me but that is not a bad thing.
For movies DTS/DD
For everything else I use All Channel Stereo.

[Shizelbs]

Will THX make me better in bed?

[scottvamp]

Depends what kind of music your hand likes.....:D
Seriously try some Viagra for that:p

[jefft1314]

gotta concur with scottvamp, i love the all channel stereo mode, next year when I upgrade my rm6700's I'll probably get four rti6's instead of two 6's and two 4's (plus a csi5) which is way more than that this 12x14 room will ever need, but I enjoy all channel stereo so I figure it will have to be done.:-)

[gregure]

For music, I prefer Neo:6 for orchestral, and all channel or "stereo" for rock, depending on the album. THX, which I believe is meant for movie playback more than anything, is not a big deal. I think all that does is take a Dolby Digital THX soundtrack, and puts your speaker settings to THX standard, which is all speakers set to small with an 80 Hz crossover. I may be wrong on that, but I'm pretty sure that's what it does. I see no reason, with my 701, to use the THX surround mode, as I use Dobly Digital or DTS. I prefer setting my mains to "large," so I don't use the THX mode.

[MikeDel]

Thanks all for the replies. Gregure, I have also read that about THX . For music I've been using stereo direct which seems to force all the sound to every speaker. It also gives decent seperation which I was quite surprised.

The negative about the 801 is that you can;t use the on-screen setup with component cables. Otherwise I think is a pretty good receiver for the price.

[PolkWannabie]

For music unless you have a multichannel source like a SACD player and it's configured to play 5.1, Direct doesn't really drive anything other than the front stereo pair does it ?

[gregure]

PolkWannabie,
That is correct, DIRECT mode only drives the front speakers. With Onkyo, STEREO is fronts and sub, DIRECT is just fronts, and PURE AUDIO shuts down all the displays on the receiver for a supposedly higher quality sound, with less electronic interference. Only thing with PURE AUDIO is that is has a preset bass/treble setting because it is supposed to translate the PURE signal from the CD. So if you have your treble or bass settings tweaked, they're no good in PURE AUDIO mode. Not sure about other brands, but that's how Onkyo does it. Not sure what Mike meant by "stereo direct" to "all speakers." That sounds like all channel stereo to me.

[PolkWannabie]

Right ... I'm familiar w/the 801 as I have one in different set up in the house.

[TroyD]

THX...schmee-HX.

BDT

[Shizelbs]

As far as I am concerned, the only thing THX accomplishes is impressing your friends who don't know a damned thing about audio.

[TroyD]

ssshhhhhhhhhhh....man, don't get Dan started on THX...

BDT

[gregure]

THX is worth something. I think films that have been mastered according to THX standards look and sound very good. It's just the THX mode on receivers that isn't really worth a damn. And mark me if I'm wrong, but I think only films by 20th Century Fox are branded with the THX mastered stamp. That's rather limited.

[MikeDel]

I stand corrected. Direct does drive only the fronts. I have had this receiver for 3 months now, but in a box waiting for my move to another house. I'm just starting to get familar with the receiver since I hooked it up a few days ago! Someday, when I can't fall asleep, I'll read the manual. ;)

[PolkWannabie]

LOL ... and then that'll put you to sleep for sure ... Actually Onk's manuals are better than most.