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From: baumgart@esquire.dpw.com (Steve Baumgarten)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: Surround Sound
Message-ID: <4740@uwm.edu>
Date: 28 Jun 90 21:55:27 GMT
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Approved: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu


In article <4675@uwm.edu>, gould!infocenter!smatchun@encore (Scott Matchunis) writes:
>Am I missing the point with surround sound, i.e. is it mostly a video format?
>Has anyone heard an audio-only setup that was impressive sounding?  I understand
>the Shure system and the new George Lucas/Thiel systems are supposed to be
>very impressive, but both are very expensive.  For the "lower-end" system,
>such as I auditioned, has anyone gotten good results with them?

Basically, yes, it is a video-only setup.  Surround is made so that
you can decode the additional information available in Dolby
Surround-encoded video tapes and disks.

Many units also have various kinds of digital delays that allow you to
play regular CDs, tapes, and records and get a "concert hall effect",
though I don't particularly care for the effect myself.

I use a *very* low-end NEC unit and have gotten great results with it.
This is not a Pro-Logic unit (Pro-Logic surround units use an
additional front-center speaker and also have greater separation
between front and back), but it still sounds great.  And this is with
standard VHS HiFi tapes, not disks.

I've heard about the home THX system, but it sounds like it's going to
be awfully expensive... 

--
   Steve Baumgarten             | "New York... when civilization falls apart,
   Davis Polk & Wardwell        |  remember, we were way ahead of you."
   baumgart@esquire.dpw.com     | 
   cmcl2!esquire!baumgart       |                           - David Letterman