Clearly it can not replace a 5.1 system, but you should not seriously expect.
But for a 380 Euro Soundbar it sounds surprisingly good, actually surprisingly good.
My configuration: Technisat satellite receiver via HDMI to a Panasonic FS for normal TV. Panasonic BluRay player and WD TV Live as a player also via HDMI to FS (FS = Television).
The DM50 is under the FS with the following connections:
- FS optical digital
- Technisat receiver stereo analog to AUX and in addition to digital coax input
- BluRay and WD box only indirectly through FS (HDMI sound looped through to optical output)
Use and sound quality:
(1) Digital 5.1 sound from Technisat to coax input
By far the best sound. Impressive sound effects in recent cinema productions. Deep rich sound, the virtual surround works surprisingly well. Of course, no effect sound from behind, but from the side effects come in the middle of the room. Even a sound movement is front / rear hörbarbar but rather in front of the FS in the FS.
On the dialog intelligibility there is nothing wrong, but I'll let the FS silent run along what the dialogues even a bit improved, without disturbing the rest sound.
I use this for Sky HD movies with 5.1 sound.
(2) Analog stereo from Technisat via RCA cable
Significantly weaker tone. Less bulky and the surround setting makes the sound just a little dizzy and continue. Not so focused on the FS.
Advantage for the Technisat is that this signal on the Technisat FB is regulated in the volume. I then just need a FB. Since series and old movies are sent only in stereo, the low sound loss is barely noticeable.
(3) Indirectly through FS optical digital
In stereo or Dolby 2.0 source no difference to coax input. But weaker sound signal at 5.1 because of the FS only a Dolby 2.0 signal passes. Seemingly recognize the setter (Technisat, BluRay, WD Box) via HDMI, the FS can only play two-channel sound and expect the 5.1 signal to 2.0 down. (100% sure I'm not, maybe the FS is the "culprit" - but as a result it does not matter). As a result, then work the virtual surround sound (of course) and not overall the sound is less transparent, less space-filling.
WD box and BluRay go with me about just and sound according to "weak". But I can not blame the DM50, this is due to my configuration. In addition, "weak" to look more in quotation marks, it is still light years better than the FS alone - it will bring only not anything out of the DM50, what's in it.
I wanted to have a better sound for television by satellite and that's what I have achieved. I am as I said totally satisfied.
Anyone interested in the device, should consider in advance whether the rich connections and that there is a possibility of digital to drive the device with 5.1.
By the way:
The connection problems, which are partly described herein are not comprehensible. It's that easy, connect power and cable, turn on, finished.
Bluetooth pairing with iPad is just as easy:
Select BT source, press BT button: to DM50.
On iPad: Turn on Bluetooth, select DM50.
Done. Nothing could be simpler here.
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Update 3/22/2014:
Last Saturday was the device, after just 12 weeks unfortunately defective. Total failure, nothing was more. One day later, the LED lit again, but did not sound. DC on Monday, our call was made to the service. A very nice Mitar Beter asked for returning the product and said a repair time of a few days. In fact, came today, again on Saturday and just 6 days after sending the defective device, a new DM50 with new accessories in exchange. At the moment everything is fine.
First, I wanted to deduct a star, but as this was the first defect and the friendly service nothing could have done better, I leave it at the 5 stars. If the unit now turn again in a short time, but I will deduct a star.
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