Ableza
Headphoneus Supremus
I do not speak for Schiit, but I have a lot of experience setting up HT systems (I once was a THX certified cinema designer, gasp.) In an HT setup, the way I think it would work is:
Most of today's AV sources use HDMI output, so you must connect to an HDMI receiver. (When I say "receiver" I am NOT talking about some behemoth from Denon or Arcam, although as I will mention those will work. I mean something that can accept and decode an HDMI input.) If you have more than one source, the receiver must be able to accept and switch between multiple sources. A remote control for this function might be nice. To use Syn as your surround-sound mixer, the receiver must output either a downmixed stereo analog via RCA or downmixed stereo PCM digital signal via USB or S/PDIF optical.
Examples of the HDMI receiver might include your display, assuming it has an appropriate output (at a fixed level preferably); an HDMI switcher with audio extractor and HDMI output for the display; or a typical AV receiver or preamp/processor - although that is overkill in this application, if you have one with full-signal audio downmix output and are willing to use only it's HDMI processing capabilities, then use it.
The downmixed audio signal is connected to the appropriate Syn input. Since it has an input select switch it is possible to use three different audio sources, one of each type, but let's leave that discussion for another time. The six outputs from Syn connect to the five main amplifier channels: front L and R mains, center, rear L and R surrounds, and to a powered subwoofer. <i> I note that the Syn lacks bass management and assume this output is actually a mono full-range signal.</i> This statement is incorrect, the sub output from Syn includes a 3rd order crossover at 80Hz. This does not impact the following setup comments, in my opinion.
If you are not experienced in integrating a subwoofer with a stereo or surround system, this could be a chapter unto itself. My simple recommendations follow, YMMV depending on your system setup.
I have not set up a Syn yet, but my recommendation as a starting point is to first leave the subwoofer off. This setup assumes doing it by ear and without measurement devices. It's a quick and dirty method. If you have measurement tools or dbSPL meters and understand how to use them, then you likely do not need any advice from me.
Turn everything except the subwoofer on and play some music content you are familiar with. Adjust Syn so you can hear sound through all channels and the balance between center and mains seems equal. Now tweak so the center becomes dominant (the center in an HT setup should be the dominant output.) Now switch to a video source, preferably a movie or television program with heavy dialog. Adjust the Syn until you can clearly hear the dialog through the center speaker and the other channels seem to be balanced but not taking focus away from the center. Now play a movie's theme music, like the excessively long opening or closing theme to Game of Thrones. Sit back with the remote and tweak the levels until it sounds good through all five channels. Now turn your attention to the subwoofer.
Set the crossover to 120Hz (this is the default for Dobly encoded soundtracks.) Set phase if there is one to zero, and turn the level all the way down to zero. While the soundtrack is playing, turn on the sub amp and then slowly turn up the level until it seems to be louder than the main speakers. Now back it down until it sounds equal to the mains. Have someone sit in your desired listening position and experiment with the phase control. Leave it in whatever position is reported as "loudest." If the phase control has no effect leave it in zero. Keep the soundtrack playing (you may have to loop it) and adjust the level until your listening assistant reports that it sounds like it is part of the mains. Turn it up just a bit from there. If you find yourself noticing the sub sound too much, try lowering the crossover a bit but do not go below 80Hz.
Now you have discovered the starting place, or at least the starting place I would use with Syn. From here you may find yourself adjusting and tweaking and playing with the remote and you may find yourself doing this with every type of video you watch. That will be part of the fun of a manual system - you get to be the producer for the experience you desire!
For those of you with Syn, please correct or add to this post. Like I said, I'm writing in a vacuum based on owner's manual information. Actual users will have better information than me.
Most of today's AV sources use HDMI output, so you must connect to an HDMI receiver. (When I say "receiver" I am NOT talking about some behemoth from Denon or Arcam, although as I will mention those will work. I mean something that can accept and decode an HDMI input.) If you have more than one source, the receiver must be able to accept and switch between multiple sources. A remote control for this function might be nice. To use Syn as your surround-sound mixer, the receiver must output either a downmixed stereo analog via RCA or downmixed stereo PCM digital signal via USB or S/PDIF optical.
Examples of the HDMI receiver might include your display, assuming it has an appropriate output (at a fixed level preferably); an HDMI switcher with audio extractor and HDMI output for the display; or a typical AV receiver or preamp/processor - although that is overkill in this application, if you have one with full-signal audio downmix output and are willing to use only it's HDMI processing capabilities, then use it.
The downmixed audio signal is connected to the appropriate Syn input. Since it has an input select switch it is possible to use three different audio sources, one of each type, but let's leave that discussion for another time. The six outputs from Syn connect to the five main amplifier channels: front L and R mains, center, rear L and R surrounds, and to a powered subwoofer. <i> I note that the Syn lacks bass management and assume this output is actually a mono full-range signal.</i> This statement is incorrect, the sub output from Syn includes a 3rd order crossover at 80Hz. This does not impact the following setup comments, in my opinion.
If you are not experienced in integrating a subwoofer with a stereo or surround system, this could be a chapter unto itself. My simple recommendations follow, YMMV depending on your system setup.
I have not set up a Syn yet, but my recommendation as a starting point is to first leave the subwoofer off. This setup assumes doing it by ear and without measurement devices. It's a quick and dirty method. If you have measurement tools or dbSPL meters and understand how to use them, then you likely do not need any advice from me.
Turn everything except the subwoofer on and play some music content you are familiar with. Adjust Syn so you can hear sound through all channels and the balance between center and mains seems equal. Now tweak so the center becomes dominant (the center in an HT setup should be the dominant output.) Now switch to a video source, preferably a movie or television program with heavy dialog. Adjust the Syn until you can clearly hear the dialog through the center speaker and the other channels seem to be balanced but not taking focus away from the center. Now play a movie's theme music, like the excessively long opening or closing theme to Game of Thrones. Sit back with the remote and tweak the levels until it sounds good through all five channels. Now turn your attention to the subwoofer.
Set the crossover to 120Hz (this is the default for Dobly encoded soundtracks.) Set phase if there is one to zero, and turn the level all the way down to zero. While the soundtrack is playing, turn on the sub amp and then slowly turn up the level until it seems to be louder than the main speakers. Now back it down until it sounds equal to the mains. Have someone sit in your desired listening position and experiment with the phase control. Leave it in whatever position is reported as "loudest." If the phase control has no effect leave it in zero. Keep the soundtrack playing (you may have to loop it) and adjust the level until your listening assistant reports that it sounds like it is part of the mains. Turn it up just a bit from there. If you find yourself noticing the sub sound too much, try lowering the crossover a bit but do not go below 80Hz.
Now you have discovered the starting place, or at least the starting place I would use with Syn. From here you may find yourself adjusting and tweaking and playing with the remote and you may find yourself doing this with every type of video you watch. That will be part of the fun of a manual system - you get to be the producer for the experience you desire!
For those of you with Syn, please correct or add to this post. Like I said, I'm writing in a vacuum based on owner's manual information. Actual users will have better information than me.
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