Surround Sound Volume

[dvan]

Have you guys with the 14-speaker setup ever turned up the Surround Sound Volume all the way up? I always hated the fake surround sound plugins and such you can get for your mp3s using programs like winamp, so i kept it the surround sound volume at a low setting. I was messing with the audio settings today and decided to turn that setting all the way up and WOW what a difference in how the audio sounds! The seat speakers just make the music pop to life, kinda disappointed I didnt figure this out earlier!

[pangpang77]

Definitely makes a HUGE difference. I keep it at 6 or 7. It really makes the 14-speaker system special in my opinion. Those seat speakers really help immerse the driver into the sound. I also keep Centerpoint on and set the balance to the 3 position (In between Left and Center), this way it's biased towards the driver.

[palincal]

Seat speakers do create a more 3D sound effect and I also like it. But I feel centerpoint kills the spatial effect when used for non-5.1 discs. For 5.1 DVD audio, centerpoint is automatically turned on. Turning it off does not have any effect on the sound. I always keep the centerpoint off for CDs, FM, MP3s to get better sound quality.

[pangpang77]

Seat speakers do create a more 3D sound effect and I also like it. But I feel centerpoint kills the spatial effect when used for non-5.1 discs. For 5.1 DVD audio, centerpoint is automatically turned on. Turning it off does not have any effect on the sound. I always keep the centerpoint off for CDs, FM, MP3s to get better sound quality.

You do that even with a CD in the center console DVD player? I find that the best way to achieve the spatial effect is to pop a CD into the DVD player, keep centerpoint on, then adjust the balance to the 3 position, turn up the surround volume to 6 or 7 and the sound is simply amazing. That works for XM as well. For FM, MP3s is a different story, I agree with you that you can't do that and centerpoint needs to be turned off.

[palincal]

Never tried a CD in the DVD player. Will the DVD player input to the amp be any different than a CD player input if the audio source is the same. Won't it be just a stereo input if you are playing a CD. I will try it out anyway.

[pangpang77]

Never tried a CD in the DVD player. Will the DVD player input to the amp be any different than a CD player input if the audio source is the same. Won't it be just a stereo input if you are playing a CD. I will try it out anyway.

There is definitely a difference playing the CD through the DVD player. The sound is richer probably because the sound output from the DVD player to produce 5.1 is digital as opposed to analog (eg aux which is just analog through RCA). Definitely try it out. You'll notice the difference.

[EniGmA1987]

Ya I figured that out the day I bought the car, Im an audio guy so my first area to play with is always the audio settings cause nothing is EVER configured right. I turn them up almost all the way, 1 step down from all the way I think...

For me though, Centerpoint off ALWAYS. It sounds so awful and destroys what the music should sound like.

[pangpang77]

For me though, Centerpoint off ALWAYS. It sounds so awful and destroys what the music should sound like.

Even playing a CD in the Center Console DVD player? My audio installer thought it sounded pretty awesome, and my friend who is a home audio installer thought so too. But hey, music and sound is very subjective...

[dvan]

Even playing a CD in the Center Console DVD player? My audio installer thought it sounded pretty awesome, and my friend who is a home audio installer thought so too. But hey, music and sound is very subjective...

Very true, I personally love the centerpoint and always keep it on

[06M35Sport]

I agree as well. I like to have the center point on with all music. I have tried it with it off and on and like it better on. Its all a matter of preference.

[John2]

Agree about a matter of preference. I had my centerpoint (unkowingly) set to ON, but after reading this discussion I sat in the car and played with it. Centerpoint seemed to make the music sound fuller, but the vocals were actually kinda muddy. So know I have centerpoint OFF.

I guess the point is to take the time to play with it and pick the setting you like for your listening pleasure.