Moving from 2.2 to 5.2—would love some advice - Forum

I have a suggestion you'll be uncomfortable with:
​​​​​​​Used 1037b for L/R. I feel like they're about the most musical speakers Genelec ever made.

I have 8351x3 and 8330x2, the 8351 is very good.

I don't use DAC, D/A process, used the AES/EBU digital signal to get the multi channel system only, Genelec 9301 bass management is necessary.

I have the minidsp U-DIO8, it's a good choice to play 5.1 on MAC.

Last year, I found out that the MERIDIAN 568.2MM have the 7.1 multi channel digital output, could easy to handle the Dolby and DTS coaxial input, and some Logic surround setting, it's a good choice to transfer 2.0 signal input to the 5.1 effect hardware. And it's cheaper than Trinnov Audio Altitude32, Datasat RS20I, Ethernet RJ45 + Digital Audio Denmark AX32,and Arvus HDMI-2A.

FYI.

Thanks for the chiming in. Much appreciated.

For the endorsement of the U-DIO8 will definitely get me to start with that box, migrating to a 16-channel card in due course (AES is the only game in town…) Oh, a excellent MERIDIAN 568.2MM tidbit . Kind of old product, but still a viable option.

Yes, the 8351 are super-duper. Still, I don’t think that I would willingly migrate from the 8341—not when as sub is involved—but I can get a better deal on the 8351 than the 8341.

The most delightful news is that you’re pleased with the 8330. The more I think about it, the more I realize that assigning the “1” to the surround is a touch waste. Sure, if you’re a professional studio with a reputation to keep, dirty rich or just a perfectionist who’s got to have the paragon of systems, the “1” is a must. But otherwise, the sound coming off the surround/ceiling is less detailed and plays only 10% of time on average. 8 x 8331 = $16,000, 8 x 8330 = $5,670. That’s quite a difference. Will the sound of the 8331 be better? Sure, but truly marginally. As I said, IMO an overkill.

How far is your listening position from the 8330? Are you pleased with the SPL vis-à-vis the 8351? Finally, how satisfied are you with the sound quality? (for the part they play of course).

I setup the distance of 5 speakers is about 2.4m. I feel the sound style of genelec speakers is very close, including my little 8010, so I feel that 8330x2 could be good enough to pair 8351 L/C/R to handle the surround to me.

I used a special method to hang my 8330.  I think it is a little smart, fyi. 

My old traditional speaker wall brackets is not support to get the 110° surround angle, because the fixed arm is not long enough, the angle has not been reached, the 8330 has hit the wall. 

The TV or moniter stand is the mass production product, not expensive, good quality and many choices of accessories. I can use it to adjust various heights, angles, distances of surround, so easy.

Recently, I am studying the knowledge and skills of the room acoustics. I think the gelenec speaker is good enough to produce good sound, the room acoustics is the critical big issues to do the sound reproduction.

Today，I get my the third AVAA, haha, it's not cheap, but I think it's very useful to improve my room acoustic. 

That’s an awesome jig you’ve got there, Meng. Showing some skills…And yes, room correction is paramount for getting the best out of our systems. Well done!

I wanted to ask you about the 9301. Why do I need it? Can’ I just run 3 AES cables out from the U-DIO8 and daisy chain a component per cable. Meaning, run a line to L/Sub and chain it to Center; a line to L/monitor and chain it to R/monitor; a line to L/surround and chain it to R/surround. What’s bad about this setup? What improvements would the 9301 bring and would you set it up?

When I use 8330x2+7350, the 2.1 system, I sent the stereo PCM signal to 7350 AES input, and connect 7350 output to front L/R, it's OK.

But after I added 8351x3+7360, there is no enough channel to do the crossover of center and surround speakers.

I think that perhaps the genelec 9301 is best choice to do the crossover and LFE job.

The genelec 9301 could support me to change the input from Meridian, CD player and minidsp U-DIO8, not need to change the setting every times.

Of course, I think that perhaps you could use the software setting to do the crossover. The 9301 is not cheap, haha.

"run a line to L/Sub and chain it to Center; a line to L/monitor and chain it to R/monitor; a line to L/surround and chain it to R/surround"
Your way is a standard 5.1 channel connect without bass management, it's good to play 5.1 music and movie.

But when you play the 2.0 music, there is no subwoofer to support front left and right speakers to play low frequency.

You have 2x7360? If you do not want to buy the 9301, and not want to play the dual 7360s in same time, perhaps you can use one 7360 to do the bass management to front left and right speakers. Use the second 7360 to handle LFE signal and the bass management of the center speaker.

Now, I am enjoy to learn about the dual/multiple subwoofers system. It's interesting to find the better subwoofer position, the better setting of phase and time delay. Last night, I moved 7350 from front right position to right back wall, haha.

Yes, I perused the 9301 user guide closely and now understand: The product is necessary to control the crossover for all 7/8 channels. Without it, some of the low frequencies are played by the monitors. I will certainly get this product. A "must" for a good AES based surround.

I've run into a steep hurled that compels me to reach out to you again. I received a the U-DIO8-- a fine product as you attested -- and successfully connected it to my Macbook Pro. I tested the 5.1 channels and the signal shows nor problem. Next, I set the device as the Audio Output and fired up Netflix through Safari. Alas, I only get 2 channels. Many movies and Netflix productions that should show the "Dolby 5.1" icon, refuse to do so. Netflix technical support is of little help.

Any idea how I get the surround going while streaming Netflix on Mac, with the U-DIO8 connected?

Will be at your debt :)

When I use Mac mini and connect D-UIO8, I could identify and check the D-UIO8 each channel output with the speakers in Mac Audio MIDI Setup.

I do not need to setup any audio and decoding in the software IINA and VLC player, and the IINA and VLC can play the 5.1 soundtrack correctly of movie and WAV file with DTS and Dolby.

And I can use the JRiver to play the 6 channels SACD.

I think that perhaps the software IINA, VLC, JRiver transform the DTS and Dolby to 6 channels PCM signal to D-UIO8, but the Safari can not do it.

Sorry I don't know about Netfix, perhaps you could try to visit Netfix in some multi channel video player with internet browser?

Thanks for the insight, Meng.

Yes, long ago Netflix had an API the media centers could use to play their contents. Dolby was easily decoded with JRiver an alike. But nowadays, Netflix is possessive of its movies.

My last attempt will be a new Windows PC with either RME AES card or Lynex 16e. Word around is that the Netflix app for Windows supports Dolby more readily.

It’s a hard road to the top…

Happy tunes!

Netflix DOES support more than 5.1. Several titles in netflix already have Dolby Atmos soundtrack.