DTS Neo 6 vs. DPL II

[GMichael]

I dunno. Using 5 channel "stereo" is impressive when you're out on the deck with the smoker (no, not grilling) and you can hear the music nice and crisp without being processed to death and powered sub that has proper crossover setting. (this is presuming it's stereo instead of 5.1 audo source)

It works well for most all parties.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

After a very long comparison last night, I am going to have to backtrack my comments, and give context to others.

Last night I came home from the studio and decided I wanted to watch a movie in my small reference theater. Given that the Sony playstation store was offering a free viewing of the funny and schloky Godzilla 2000, I decided to download the freebie, and give it a whirl.

I first wanted to make sure that switching between DPL IIx and Dts Neo:6(version 2.2) their newest algorythm. All of my previous impressions of Neo have been based on their first implementation, but with several updates to my switcher/processor I found that I had their latest version. The difference between the two of them is quite striking.

When I determined that there was absolutely no change in volume in switching between the two matrix processing, I sat down and compared the two.

Dts Neo:6 - Had a cleaner more robust and powerful presentation between the two. The fine details of the mix, foley, and panning of effects was more precise with Neo. Neo kept the entire production locked solidly up front, and any panning to the sides was very clearly delineated. The film score was presented with a more palpable sense of instrument position within the soundfield than DPL IIx.

DPL IIx - Had a huge immersive soundfield 360 degrees around the listening position. However fine details got lost in that soundfield, and were not quite as pronounced as with Neo. DPL IIx seemed mushy and clouded, and it sounded like the dynamics were quite a bit restrained in comparison to Neo. The best way I could describe DPL IIx experience was much like having a huge immersive cloud around you, with details stuck in the cloud. It is quite a different presentation from Neo.

After this listening session(I have never heard these side by side before), I am leaning far towards using Dts:Neo 6 for all of my two channel movies.

[Tarheel_]

After a very long comparison last night, I am going to have to backtrack my comments, and give context to others.

Last night I came home from the studio and decided I wanted to watch a movie in my small reference theater. Given that the Sony playstation store was offering a free viewing of the funny and schloky Godzilla 2000, I decided to download the freebie, and give it a whirl.

I first wanted to make sure that switching between DPL IIx and Dts Neo:6(version 2.2) their newest algorythm. All of my previous impressions of Neo have been based on their first implementation, but with several updates to my switcher/processor I found that I had their latest version. The difference between the two of them is quite striking.

When I determined that there was absolutely no change in volume in switching between the two matrix processing, I sat down and compared the two.

Dts Neo:6 - Had a cleaner more robust and powerful presentation between the two. The fine details of the mix, foley, and panning of effects was more precise with Neo. Neo kept the entire production locked solidly up front, and any panning to the sides was very clearly delineated. The film score was presented with a more palpable sense of instrument position within the soundfield than DPL IIx.

DPL IIx - Had a huge immersive soundfield 360 degrees around the listening position. However fine details got lost in that soundfield, and were not quite as pronounced as with Neo. DPL IIx seemed mushy and clouded, and it sounded like the dynamics were quite a bit restrained in comparison to Neo. The best way I could describe DPL IIx experience was much like having a huge immersive cloud around you, with details stuck in the cloud. It is quite a different presentation from Neo.

After this listening session(I have never heard these side by side before), I am leaning far towards using Dts:Neo 6 for all of my two channel movies.

How can someone determine which version of Neo is loaded???

My HK remote is great in many ways...one of them is having a separate button for each surround format. So, if i want to switch from DPLII to Neo:6 to Logic7 to 7 channel stereo, there is only one button for each. You set which mode (music - movies) in the menu so it switches to that particular one.
Comparing side/by/side over and over, I prefer Logic7 Music then Neo:6 Music for 2 channel movies and Directv music channels.

I'm thinking out-loud here as i wonder how many folks can directly compare the different formats without diving into menus and thus losing the sound (memory) of that format?

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

How can someone determine which version of Neo is loaded???

You are not going to be able to tell since most receivers and pre-pro's use the Dts chipset. My processor uses Dts algorithms since it does all processing in software, not on chips.

My HK remote is great in many ways...one of them is having a separate button for each surround format. So, if i want to switch from DPLII to Neo:6 to Logic7 to 7 channel stereo, there is only one button for each. You set which mode (music - movies) in the menu so it switches to that particular one.
Comparing side/by/side over and over, I prefer Logic7 Music then Neo:6 Music for 2 channel movies and Directv music channels.

One of the main features I have on my processors is what is called auto lock. This locks the processor in to the bitstream so when you make switches between any Dts or DD bitstream, it does not lose lock, switching is instantaneous with no breaks. If you switch between Dts and DD, it will instantly lock in to the stream very quickly, and the break is only milliseconds long. This way you can instantly hear any changes(if there are any) between the two codecs with almost no pause in between. I can't do this with any of my other AVR's or Pre-pro's.

I'm thinking out-loud here as i wonder how many folks can directly compare the different formats without diving into menus and thus losing the sound (memory) of that format?

It all depends on how their AVR and Pre-pro's handle the switching between the two bit streams. I have a Sony AVR (a late pre-production model designed especially to work with the PS3) that can switch back and forth between bitstream, and the pause is only minimal. Like your HK, there is only one button for each accessed on the remote.