Soundbar vs separates?

hornetstinger · 3 Sep 2019 at 13:42

I believe DD/DTS how it functions is more like a computer data signal, the avr locks onto the signal, it either locks onto it or not. Jitter is not a concern.

Whereas pcm can get errors in the signal and still work so a digital out with high jitter still means you get audio.

Yaayuh! · 3 Sep 2019 at 15:28

@willhub My 2cents on WD 9.1 as i've owned several pairs for a few years.

They perform well right against a wall, it didn't really effect them if at all, in at least in my lounge any way. I would have expected at least some change in the lower frequencies, but couldn't tell the difference.
Good luck finding the 9 series centre to match.
They like a bit of grunt and I wouldn't suggest pairing with a soft sounding amp either.
I currently have some hooked up to a Sony STR DN1040 and a Yamaha A-S500.
I rate these speakers very highly for the price. They released at £200 many moons ago and I still think for the sound you get, they could still be £200 with maybe only the likes of Dali taking a win

I'm finally upgrading them soon. The lounge will have MA Bronze 2, Bronze Centre and Bronze FX with a monolith. My office i'm not sure about, might keep the 9.1s but will also have near-field monitors.

hornetstinger · 3 Sep 2019 at 16:16

Have you heard monitor audio speakers?

Yaayuh! · 3 Sep 2019 at 16:46

hornetstinger said:
Have you heard monitor audio speakers?

Silvers, yes, but not Bronze at home only in shop. I will be getting just the Bronze 2's and testing before the rest, but I am confident.

lucid · 3 Sep 2019 at 20:33

hornetstinger said:
I believe DD/DTS how it functions is more like a computer data signal, the avr locks onto the signal, it either locks onto it or not. Jitter is not a concern.

Whereas pcm can get errors in the signal and still work so a digital out with high jitter still means you get audio.

I think jitter is a problem for all signals, and that includes bitstream serial signals. The issue is where the DAC gets its clock signal. However, this isn't the right thread to discuss it, and it's not fair on @willhub to derail his thread on something (as far as DD/DTS goes, at least) is unrelated to his enquiry. If you want to discuss this further, then it really needs its own thread.

willhub · 5 Sep 2019 at 11:16

So I've got 30 day trial of Tidal. I use Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, the difference is there, there is more clarity, but for an extra 10 quid a month not sure, perhaps there is limitations with the connection or the amp?

The bass seems a bit more reduced on Tidal too, this was a Master so studio quality apparently better than "Hi-Fi" quality.

The library problem of having to start building again is a non issue because I can use online services I have found to move them across.

*Edit - Slightly more improved changing to 24bit - 48000Hz

lucid · 5 Sep 2019 at 20:26

When you first mentioned problems streaming, it was on Spotify via the app built in to your Samsung TV. Are you listening to Tidal the same way?

hornetstinger · 5 Sep 2019 at 20:48

With lossless you'll find there is less bass, but what there is is more defined as compressed audio bass is bloaty and one noted.

willhub · 5 Sep 2019 at 21:05

lucid said:
When you first mentioned problems streaming, it was on Spotify via the app built in to your Samsung TV. Are you listening to Tidal the same way?

No via the app, quality wise best to worst Tidal -> Spotify -> Spotify TV

lucid · 5 Sep 2019 at 21:45

willhub said:
No via the app, quality wise best to worst Tidal -> Spotify -> Spotify TV

Just to be clear then, you were listening to Spotify first via the TV, and that's when you found some songs had a sort of distortion. Now you're listening via something else as the source (a PC perhaps, because the CEOL doesn't do Spotify Free, only the Premium one?), and you've found that (a) Spotify sounds better, and (b), the gap now between Spotify and Tidal's lossless streaming is much smaller. Does that sum it up?

Incidentally, I'd agree with @hornetstinger that compression makes the bass sound bigger but bloated.

willhub · 6 Sep 2019 at 10:20

Well the difference is more noticable with Todal in light of the bass situation, songs that are bass heavier are clearer and puncher in Tidal.

I have up using Spotify on the CEOL because it's slow and leggy or fails to connect, it's been troublesome since I got it really.

My computer has been on using some site for about 26 hours so far duplicating my 66567 song library from Spotify to Tidal.

I might try optical I can increase the bit rate even higher than 24/48000 on HDMi

On another note I do agree that my XXLS400 was better for music than the Monolith Plus, but I think this sub needs more work with placement compared to the sealed sub, I've not tried blocking the port yet I may give that a go if I can find something.

I don't regret the monolith for movies it's excellent.

BlairH · 6 Sep 2019 at 13:26

hornetstinger said:
Have you heard monitor audio speakers?

You know what sounds better than it has any right to, for movie soundtracks? The Monitor Audio Apex range. They're "small" (although they have more cabinet volume than you might think); but they have trickle-down tech from the older "Gold" range. Pair them with a decent subwoofer and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better sub/sat system without shelling out for M&Ks.