Home theater system?

[NonSenseSuperman]

I have a sony dvd/home theater system and I don't want to use the two surround speakers, so I would like to know what the best equalizer setting would be A.F.D. Auto, 2Ch Stereo, Pro Logic, PLII Movie, PLII Music, U.M.DIM., Multi st., Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classic, and Night. So if I am just using the two front speakers, the sub, and the center speaker, which setting is the best? And if you could, would you explain all those to me please?

[Fullmetal_chick]

If you would still prefer the center speaker to output sound, then use A.F.D. That HTS has provisions to adjust the speaker outputs, read the manual, bring the rear speakers output to a min. Now, if you want to simply disconnect them, I would suggest to connect resistors in place of the speakers. If the outputs stay disconnected, it may damage the Amp. Another way is to place the two rear speakers (connected) behind your system setup.
The woofer would always work, regardless of the setting.
AFD will direct sound to the speakers, automatically changing the sound characteristic, according to the type of input source detected.
The other settings are to simulate the reverberation's of different sources, like from Jazz or Classical orchestras.

[zdkshiaven]

If you don't want to use your rear speakers, you need to tell your receiver that you are not going to be using them. In your setup menu, you can select "none" as the type of rear speakers. This will send the surround information to your fronts so that information will not be lost.

If you will be using your DVD player, AFD Auto will be best as it will automatically decode the soundtrack from your DVD. ProLogic, movie/music is for two channel tracks - like watching a TV show, it will create a surround effect. Obviously you don't want to use 2ch stereo if you're using your center channel. The other modes are music modes to sound like what you would hear if you were at a jazz club or at a rock concert. In my opinion, they're not worth the trouble and actually detract from the sound, but it's up you to decide if you like any of them - they're just personal preference. Night mode most likely compresses the sound so that louds aren't as loud and soft passages are louder. In other words, there is less difference between loud and soft passages are there normally would be if Night mode were off. This is so when you're watching a movie late at night, you don't have a really loud explosion where you have to turn the volume way down, then turn it up when the actors whisper.

[Oneeightytwo]

I would try to tell your receiver that there are no rear speakers in the audio set up, therefore when playing a movie or whatever the sound that was supposed to go to the rear channels will be routed to the front speakers.
The best setting would then be auto, then Pro Logic 1 or 2.

[sayas_eternal_servant]

Why in the world would you not want to hook up rear speakers? Doesn't that kind of negate being able to throw around the phrase that you have a "home theater"?

[spiderpig]

He could have a large living room and not want the yards of cording...I know I hate to look at mine since my TV is on one side and the rear speakers are on the other next to the couch. Drives me nuts, but its the only way to keep the surround sound in tact.

Telling the system to ignore the back speakers is probably your best bet. I'd actually call Sony and ask them what they recommend. They have excellent customer service and know their stuff. They can give you recommendations based on your system and wants.

[sayas_eternal_servant]

Originally Posted by spiderpig

He could have a large living room and not want the yards of cording...I know I hate to look at mine since my TV is on one side and the rear speakers are on the other next to the couch. Drives me nuts, but its the only way to keep the surround sound in tact.

Telling the system to ignore the back speakers is probably your best bet. I'd actually call Sony and ask them what they recommend. They have excellent customer service and know their stuff. They can give you recommendations based on your system and wants.

Totally understandable mr pig, i'm just saying that i think there's fine print in the laws of the universe somewhere that say if you don't have rear speakers hooked up to your system, you lose your rights to refer to it as a "home theater". It then becomes a mere stereo system.