Special Considerations - B&K Reference 50 Owner's Manual

Special Considerations

For use with multi-channel encoded bitstreams pressing of SURROUND or THX toggles between the Movie
and Music playback options.
For use with 2-channel analog or digital audio, pressing of SURROUND or THX allows sequencing through
the six surround decoder types, Pro Logic Movie, Pro Logic Music, Pro Logic II Movie, Pro Logic II Music, Neo:6
Movie and Neo:6 Music.
After selecting an audio mode, you may enter 0 - 9 to select the desired number of speakers that will be used to
reproduce the processed audio. Three of these selections (0, 8, 9) require extra consideration to fully understand
their capability, as they do not relate specifically to the number of speakers in your system.
Speaker selection 0 'HEADPHONE' - use when the processor is to be used with Headphones and it is desired
to turn off the system's power amplifiers. While in 'HEADPHONE', the equalizer feature of your unit remains
operational (see EQUALIZATION 'EQ'). Selecting an audio mode for use with speaker selection 0 'HEADPHONE'
effects all inputs simultaneously. This feature allows the 'Headphone' selection to stay in effect until the unit is put
to SLEEP, or you select an audio mode for use with other than 0 speakers. Note 'HEADPHONE' is not allowed for
use in Favorite Mode setup. Also, Control Out 1 may be turned off (factory default) depending on how your
processor has been set up (see ADVANCED FEATURES), allowing you to turn off any external amplifiers or
powered subwoofers with compatible CONTROL inputs. WARNING: in order to provide full range audio to
your headphones, it is necessary to override the bass management processing in your processor. If you
are using external amplifiers or powered speakers with no CONTROL OUT capability then full range audio
(including LFE for Dolby Digital and DTS) will also be sent to your front left and right speakers. If you
have small front speakers we strongly suggest you manually turn off your external amplifiers or powered
speakers before switching to selecting 'HEADPHONE' operation. Otherwise you may damage your
speakers.
Speaker selection 8 'DIRECT' - allows selecting the 'analog' signals connected to the currently selected input
sources L & R RCA audio inputs overriding the use of optical or coax S/PDIF. No processing is applied to the
audio signals other than level control. Use 'DIRECT' when NO audio processing is desired, this may be desirable
if you use an outboard digital-to-analog converter or Super Audio CD player. Note, while in 'DIRECT', the
equalizer feature of your unit is disabled and not available and (see EQUALIZATION 'EQ').
Speaker selection 9 'LtRt' - Normally, your tape outputs contain the analog L/R inputs from the selected source.
If you wish to make a recording from the digital inputs, select mode 9 (LtRt - Left total, Right total). Selecting an
audio mode for use with speaker selection 9 'LtRt' affects all inputs simultaneously. This feature allows 'LtRt' to
stay in effect until the unit is put to SLEEP, or you select an audio mode for use with other than 9 speakers.
Speaker selection 9 'LtRt', is not allowed for use in Favorite Mode setup. Your processor will convert the digital
signal to a Dolby Surround compatible 2-channel signal for recording. Upon playback you will get matrix surround
encoded sound, even if the original signal was Dolby Digital or DTS. Note that the LtRt signal also appears at
your front left and right speakers and is full range. If you use small front speakers it is recommended that you turn
down the volume before engaging LtRt mode. Note, while in 'LtRt', the equalizer feature of your unit is not
available and disabled (see EQUALIZATION 'EQ').
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