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Onkyo TX-SR504 - Which "mode" for which input?

2517 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by axs, Jan 16, 2007

tmh

Discussion Starter · Jan 16, 2007

New owner of the Onkyo 504 and I do like the way it sounds, but Man, there are so darn many options for which mode to listen in on this thing! Mono, Stereo, Direct, PL II Music, PL II Movie, PL II Game, TV Logic, Dolby D (only sometimes there), Orchestra, ALL, Neo ???, and maybe some others!!! I'm wondering what folks usually choose for the following inputs (whether this or other AVR with similar choices). I have a 5.1 surround system.

1. Regular CD music

2. FM Radio

3. HDTV Broadcast (Some have Dolby option) what about "TV LOGIC???)

4. DVD movie

I do experiment and choose one I like but often several are quite close. We seem to like CD music in "PL II Music" which I assume takes two speaker stereo and spreads it to all 5 speakers somehow, even if it wasn't recorded as such. HDTV broadcasts (football games so far) are nice in Dolby which seems to play ambient noise (crowd, music) in the surround speakers which is neat.

I THINK "Direct" gives you whatever is coming from the source???

Any insight appreciated.

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afrogt

· #2 · Jan 16, 2007

1. CD - Stereo or All Channel Stereo

2. FM - Stereo or All Channel Stereo

3. TV - Dolby PLII Movie or Music, sometimes DTS-Neo:6 movie or music

4. DVD - Dolby Digital or DTS (if available)

In reality, its whatever sound mode you prefer best.

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stevdart

· #3 · Jan 16, 2007

You should note that the owner's manual shows you diagrams for each soundfield as to what speakers are used. Personally, I use stereo for my personal music listening. That uses the two mains and sub. Some music, if my wife or a party is involved, works out better using Neo 6: Music (my taste over PLII Music). This puts a little better spread of sound between the mains and the center and also incorportes sub and rear surrounds. But because I use dipole surrounds, I really prefer to use All Speakers Driven (or something to that effect) for those party atmospheres. That gives an equal emphasis to the rears as it does the center and mains, and fills the room with that dance hall kinda sound. Typically, I tend to avoid the Onkyo processing settings, but I did find some satisfaction with the "orchestra" setting, although I believe I like Neo 6: Music in place of it.

It's a matter of experimentation, as is everything that deals with audio. Take your time and try things out. Your room acoustics, speaker choices and placements, ears, and a lot of other things will help you decide on favorites.

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tmh

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 16, 2007

Thank you both, that helps. I guess it's a matter of "for what function" in some cases.

I'll review the manual as suggested, but right now it's "misplaced" by wife or kids. I'll find it though! (Probably wherever I left it!)

Anyone know if any of the modes block out the subwoofer? If so, do they allow the front speakers to use whatevr low range they have or does it cut at the crossover setting?

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axs

· #5 · Jan 16, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by tmh /forum/post/0

I'll review the manual as suggested, but right now it's "misplaced" by wife or kids. I'll find it though! (Probably wherever I left it!)

You can download the owner's manual (in pdf format) from Onkyo web site
http://www.onkyousa.com/download/own...m?cat=Receiver

Quote:
Originally Posted by tmh /forum/post/0

Anyone know if any of the modes block out the subwoofer? If so, do they allow the front speakers to use whatevr low range they have or does it cut at the crossover setting?

I don't believe any of these modes block out subwoofer. As long as, you have subwoofer set to 'yes', have set proper speaker size and crossover frequency receiver will direct low frequency to the sub as appropriate.

Only in direct mode, very minimal processing is done and all channels are directed to the speakers as they were intended in the source material.

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