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Topic: Software speaker fill (Read 6668 times) previous topic - next topic
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Software speaker fill

Silly question, I know...

I have a motherboard with an integrated 7.1 realtek audio card. And a 5.1 speaker setup.
In the control panel I have the option "Speaker Fill". Basically it "converts" stereo music to surround.

Do you use such a feature?

Do you think it ruins the sound?

Software speaker fill

Reply #1 –
I use upmixing because
- I don’t know how to disable it with my current soundchip/driver/software (Realtek ALC889A on a Gigabyte GA-MA69G-S3H with Gigabyte software, looks similar to Realtek software)
- my subwoofer (of a 7.1 active speaker system) is silenced if it’s connected but there’s no signal on the LFE channel (if it’s not connected then a bass signal from the satellites is mixed into the subwoofer by the speaker system – if the LFE channel is connected the speaker system expects the source to do the filtering/mixing). Problem: Some applications have 2.0 output (e. g. Flash/YouTube) and then I have no bass. Was also the case with line-in signals from my TV card, but I don’t watch TV in realtime anymore (only digital recordings where I have upmixing).
- sound from only two speakers would sound a bit weak I think – when I move around in my room, I have a nice signal almost everywhere. Though that’s probably a matter of taste.
FLAC.

Software speaker fill

Reply #2 –
Quote
Do you use such a feature?
I don't have surround sound on my computer, but I do use the Dolby Pro Logic sound field settings when I listen to CDs and other stereo sources on my stereo/home theater room system.   

Quote
Do you think it ruins the sound?
Dolby Pro Logic has a handful of options & settings.  I've chosen a setting that (I feel) enhances the sound.  (IIRC, I'm using the "hall" setting.)    The Dolby Pro Logic "movie" mode generally messes-up music (that's not Pro Logic encoded) as it "steers" the sound to the dominant speaker.

You'll have to judge for yourself if "Speaker Fill" helps or hurts.

Software speaker fill

Reply #3 –
Quote
Do you use such a feature?

Do you think it ruins the sound?


You obviously want material encoded in surround sound first and foremost. With that said what you are referring to as was mentioned above is Dolby Pro Logic II. It uses some matrixing techniques to derive a multichannel signal out of as stereo one. Is it worth it? you will have to be the judge on that one. I have heard some pro-logical material before and didn't really notice any substanial difference. That's just me though. ;D.
budding I.T professional

Software speaker fill

Reply #4 –
I only use Dolby Pro Logic II when watching TV or movies that have only stereo sound.  Otherwise both my speaker systems have a stereo X2 setting which I use when listening to music.  The front left and rear left speakers will both play the same content: the left channel.  The right front speaker and right rear speaker will both play right channel content.  The subwoofer is then fed the lower frequencies and the center speaker is ignored.

I really don't like listening to music using Pro Logic II as most of the audio comes out of the center speaker with hardly anything coming out of the other speakers.  I feel that stereo X2 immerses me more in the music than Pro Logic II.

Software speaker fill

Reply #5 –
Well even though it's not real surround I enjoy the fill more than 2ch. I guess I'll keep using it.