INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 19 for Windows => Topic started by: Stream_HD on September 26, 2013, 07:42:49 pm

Title: How to properly setup a 5.2 and 2.2 speaker system and upmix 2.0 to 5.2
Post by: Stream_HD on September 26, 2013, 07:42:49 pm
Hi All,

I just finally got my USB DAC and so I need to setup my channels accordingly to achieve a 5.2 setup.  I am coming from a Meridian 861 which was extremely easy to accomplish this so hopefully it is the same here.  Here is what I had in my 861 and want here:

1.  Left Front (80hz and above only)
2.  Left Subwoofer (80hz and below only) - Getting it's information from the Left Channel signal
3.  Right Front (80hz and above only)
4.  Right Subwoofer (80hz and below only) - Getting it's information from the Right Channel signal
5.  Center (80hz and above only, 80hz below sent to subs)
6.  Surround Left - (80hz and above only, 80hz and below sent to subs)
7.  Surround Right - (80hz and above only, 80hz and below sent to subs)
8.  LFE - sent to both subs

Is this possible?  I would appreciate any assistance with setting this up :).
Title: Re: How to properly setup a 5.2 speaker system
Post by: Matt on September 26, 2013, 07:56:01 pm
I run a 5.2 setup in my theater, so may be able to help.

To start, do you have a 6+ channel USB DAC?
Title: Re: How to properly setup a 5.2 speaker system
Post by: Stream_HD on September 26, 2013, 08:08:00 pm
Hi Matt,

I do.  I have an 8 channel Exasound E28 DAC, USB.
Title: Re: How to properly setup a 5.2 speaker system
Post by: Matt on September 26, 2013, 08:13:02 pm
I would start by picking '5.1 in a 7.1 container' in DSP Studio > Output Format.

Then, I would recommend using outputs 7 and 8 for your subwoofer (so stereo cross-talk from the sub will never hit the center).  To do this, use Parametric Equalizer at the end of the DSP chain and:

1) Copy the subwoofer to channel 6 and 7
2) Mute the subwoofer channel (so silence will go out on the conventional subwoofer channel of 4)

After you have routing correct (use Tools > Advanced Tools > Audio Calibration to easily play tones to each speaker), you might set distances and levels with DSP Studio > Room Correction.

Good luck :)
Title: Re: How to properly setup a 5.2 speaker system
Post by: Stream_HD on September 26, 2013, 08:43:36 pm
Thanks so much Matt!  Going to do this right now!  Results soon.
Title: Re: How to properly setup a 5.2 speaker system
Post by: Stream_HD on September 26, 2013, 08:53:36 pm
Found the issue for this, it was simply a cable issue.  resolved now.  now to do test tones.
Title: Re: How to properly setup a 5.2 speaker system
Post by: mojave on September 27, 2013, 10:52:47 am
I'll add a few things to Matt's instructions for settings in DSP Studio. This will add the crossovers but route all bass to both subwoofers. It makes sure the levels are all combined properly to maintain the correct energy when using crossovers.

Make sure you click the box in front of Output Format, Room Correction, and Parametric Equalizer to activate these DSPs. Changing the settings doesn't automatically activate them.

Output Format

Room Correction

Parametric Equalizer (settings Matt recommended)
Mix Channels - Copy Subwoofer to Rear Left
Mix Channels - Copy Subwoofer to Rear Right
Mute - Subwoofer

It is a lot more complicated to route the left and right speakers to the left and right subs, but it can be done. I would assume you would also want the surrounds routed to individual subs, but the center to both subs? I can help you more if you choose to try this method.
Title: Re: How to properly setup a 5.2 speaker system
Post by: Stream_HD on September 28, 2013, 01:45:20 pm
Thanks so much guys for the detailed setup.  It is working perfectly and I am very happy so far with the results.  I realize now that I really need two setups (with this one completed) so I will just combine it with this thread and rename to prevent to many threads.

At this point, for my Stereo Musical listening experience, how can I now setup 2.2 for my stereo music?  There is no dedicated subwoofer track on these tracks (unlike movies which do include a dedicates sub track) so how would I route the left signal to the left speaker and left subwoofer while doing crossovers on both?  So I would want:

Left Speaker - cutoff 80hz and below
Right Speaker - cutoff 80hz and below
Left Sub - cutoff everything above 80hz from left stereo signal
Right Sub - cutoff everything above 80hz from right stereo signal

Would I just do a crossover to the left and right speaker, and then send each 80hz and below to the outputs that have my subs on them?

Additionally, how do I setup a multi-channel upmix from a standard two channel, to get a nice use of my 5.2 setup from 2 channel music?

Thanks!
Title: Re: How to properly setup a 5.2 and 2.2 speaker system and upmix 2.0 to 5.2
Post by: JimH on September 28, 2013, 02:06:25 pm
Please start a new topic with the new subject.