I've lived with the Surround Master now for about a month. It certainly creates some interesting separations.
However the processed stereo through my OB Lowthers loses some subtle
detail and becomes slightly strident on acoustic instruments and voice. The reason for this becomes apparent
when I compare the FRs at the listening position. The EQd Lowthers are reasonably flat through the mids and
treble but become lumpier when processed. However this is fairly minor overall.
My rear speakers, also OB Lowthers, are EQd with the highs rolled off steeply above 8K. Messing about years
ago with Hafler setups then Dolby, HF sibilance and cymbals from the rear always annoyed me when most of that
sound was positioned front of house and was meant to stay there.
However electronic music is a different ball game through the Surround Master. For those who don't know I recommend
the Ektoplazm Free Music Portal for some stunning 4 channel effects. The HQ downloads
focus on dance music at rapid beats per minute but include many Downtempo, Deep Trance, Glitch and Ambient styles.
Some of my recent favourite DJs are Globular, Reflection, Maharishi and SeaMoon. The are many compilations of various
artists too such as "The Return Of The Quetzalcoatl". SeaMoon's "A Twisted Downbeat Adventure" rips!
Some of the Forest style music has fascinating introductions to the main dance beat like Ecometric's
"Deep Forest Music" EP.
CDs such as "Thora Vuk" by Robag Wruhme , "Space Is Only Noise" by Nicolas Javr and "The Eye" by Yello are
especially interesting in 4 channel.
Needless to say most of these dance tracks call for a solid bottom end to sound the best. Never-the-less the
surround effects are still there to enjoy even if the LFs are lean.
However the processed stereo through my OB Lowthers loses some subtle
detail and becomes slightly strident on acoustic instruments and voice. The reason for this becomes apparent
when I compare the FRs at the listening position. The EQd Lowthers are reasonably flat through the mids and
treble but become lumpier when processed. However this is fairly minor overall.
My rear speakers, also OB Lowthers, are EQd with the highs rolled off steeply above 8K. Messing about years
ago with Hafler setups then Dolby, HF sibilance and cymbals from the rear always annoyed me when most of that
sound was positioned front of house and was meant to stay there.
However electronic music is a different ball game through the Surround Master. For those who don't know I recommend
the Ektoplazm Free Music Portal for some stunning 4 channel effects. The HQ downloads
focus on dance music at rapid beats per minute but include many Downtempo, Deep Trance, Glitch and Ambient styles.
Some of my recent favourite DJs are Globular, Reflection, Maharishi and SeaMoon. The are many compilations of various
artists too such as "The Return Of The Quetzalcoatl". SeaMoon's "A Twisted Downbeat Adventure" rips!
Some of the Forest style music has fascinating introductions to the main dance beat like Ecometric's
"Deep Forest Music" EP.
CDs such as "Thora Vuk" by Robag Wruhme , "Space Is Only Noise" by Nicolas Javr and "The Eye" by Yello are
especially interesting in 4 channel.
Needless to say most of these dance tracks call for a solid bottom end to sound the best. Never-the-less the
surround effects are still there to enjoy even if the LFs are lean.