Simple Question:

Which matrix processor is superior when a 2.0 stereo signal is applied?

I am curious what others think.

I seem to recall Neo requires 5 channels, while PLIIx will work on any 3.1,5.1, etc

PL does 4.0, PLII does 5.1, NEO:6 does 5.1/6.1, and PLIIx does 6.1/7.1

I'm curious too. I have both setting on my reciever and don't have a clue.

PLIIx isn't bad, but Neo:6 is definitely better to me. I use Neo:6 music mode for almost everything.

Is it possible to encode something in Neo:6, or does it always upconvert?

I used to use PLIIx, but I now use Neo and find I like it better.

I don't have PLIIx on my AVR, just PLII, so use Neo6 for the use of back surrounds...

Mark

I'm only 5.1 in my living room, but to me Neo:6 gives a fuller, slightly louder sound than DPLIIx

PLIIx

PLIIx

This guy must be getting paid by Dolby, :rolleyes:
Just hope he will get paid one day. :)

PLIIx when configured properly is excellent. I used to think PLIIx was lame until I got a Meridian 861v4, and when you get into their pc config program you can tweak it very well. Neo is out of the box much more aggressive, but probably less refined IMHO. I'm not knocking Neo, just my experience with many, many surround sound processors looking for surround nirvana.

PLIIx gives me a wider, room filing sound on my Denon 2807. I can't seem to enjoy any 2.0 music when using DTS Neo. However, when using movie soundtracks with DTS ES vs Dolby EX, it's a no brainer. I chose DTS.

Just got my Emotiva LMC1/LPA1 combo. So far Neo failed to impress but PLIIx is awesome!

Thanks for voting and the responses.

Personally I prefer Neo-6 most of the time, but on occasion I will find something that sounds better through PLII. Obviously Neo-6 is a bit more aggressive so maybe that is what I am basing my opinion on. I posted the poll to make sure I wasn't missing something or my ears were deceiving me. PLIIx is so highly regarded and frequently mentioned on AVS, but I hardly ever hear mention of Neo-6.

It looks pretty much to be a dead heat as far as voting. I just wanted to make sure one format wasn't superior in theory. Looks like I will continue to select my matrixing format of choice on a case by case basis depending on which sounds better with the supplied content. Thanks again for voting.

They both are decent for simulating surround sound from 2-channel sources. My preference is PLIIx. Lexicon Logic 7 blows both of them away by a huge margin. Of course you need to mortgage your house to buy a Lex, but that's another story.

my vote goes to PLIIx

Interesting debate. I recently purchased a Yamaha 661 which does all those formats plus Neural Surround, and I seem to lean towards that format. Not just for music but for surround sound movies as well. I have been trying to figure out what Neural Surround was created for, since all the manual for the receiver says is it was created for XM radio. I have been trying out all the decoders on the system and I keep coming back to Neural Surround as the best sounding of them all. Does that seem right?

Simple Question:

Which matrix processor is superior when a 2.0 stereo signal is applied?

The quality of DTS-Neo6 and Dolby Pro-logic IIx depends on the quality of your processor or receiver. I currently own the Arcam AV9 pre-pro processor, and on it, IIx sounds better on 99% of 2 channel sound I play on it. Its 7.2 sound is more immersive than just plain stereo. It can be addicting.

The quality of DTS-Neo6 and Dolby Pro-logic IIx depends on the quality of your processor or receiver. I currently own the Arcam AV9 pre-pro processor, and on it, IIx sounds better on 99% of 2 channel sound I play on it. Its 7.2 sound is more immersive than just plain stereo. It can be addicting.

I disagree. It has to do more with the facts which version your equipment has.
I don't know about PLIIx but Neo 6 has been updated many times since it's debut without any "version designation". These are nothing but algorythms on a chip, the fact it is housed in different components will have no effect on it by itself.

PLIIx sounds better to me...if, as deepsky says, system is correctly figured. I find neo6 to sound a little closer to seven channel stereo than i like.

Interesting debate. I recently purchased a Yamaha 661 which does all those formats plus Neural Surround, and I seem to lean towards that format. Not just for music but for surround sound movies as well. I have been trying to figure out what Neural Surround was created for, since all the manual for the receiver says is it was created for XM radio. I have been trying out all the decoders on the system and I keep coming back to Neural Surround as the best sounding of them all. Does that seem right?



Dude is thread is old but i agree with you. Neural Surround sounds better than all em.

PLIIx sounds better to me...if, as deepsky says, system is correctly figured. I find neo6 to sound a little closer to seven channel stereo than i like.

I have a 6.1 system set up in fairly small room: because of the room's size, usually I am more comfortable listening to smaller groups [jazz and classical]. The PLIIx seems to allow each instrument to stand out more clearly -- the difference is especially noticeable with my [many] older CDs. :cool:

Dude is thread is old....

They both are decent for simulating surround sound from 2-channel sources. My preference is PLIIx. Lexicon Logic 7 blows both of them away by a huge margin. Of course you need to mortgage your house to buy a Lex, but that's another story.

I have all three and DTS Neo:6 is the faux surround I use the least. Dolby PLIIx is probably what I use most but I'm constantly switching between PLIIx and Lexicon Logic 7. I wouldn't say Logic 7 blows the other two away by a wide margin. It's a different presentation with a more subtle surround effect and a more prominent front sound that sort of mimics what you'd hear with performers on stage in front of you. PLIIx emphasizes the surround effect more to put you in the middle of the performance. DTS Neo:6 is more like PLIIx but for some reason it just never sounds quite as good to me.

For simple acoustic mixes with vocal, Logic 7 seems to win. For "bigger" sound like rock with a more complex mix, Dolby & DTS seem to work better. Then again, I often shut off the faux surround and listen the way material was recorded in 2 channel.

I use PLIIx with the Panorama function off my Denon and it sounds incredible! :cool:

After I listened to music in Stereo and then switched to PLIIx Music Mode, the sound of my front speakers was changed.

But when I use Neo-6 in Music Mode the sound remains allmost the same, the only thing is it suurounds me.

Thats why I prefer Neo 6.

For Movies PLIIx souds better to me cause of the better center speaker integration. Dialogs are clearer.

Neo6 in the music mode will pass the left and right fronts through unprocessed. Any center and surround material is left in.


After I listened to music in Stereo and then switched to PLIIx Music Mode, the sound of my front speakers was changed.

But when I use Neo-6 in Music Mode the sound remains allmost the same, the only thing is it suurounds me.

Thats why I prefer Neo 6.

For Movies PLIIx souds better to me cause of the better center speaker integration. Dialogs are clearer.