Jazz Speakers- Dolby Digital Decoders

Jazz Speakers DE-006 & DE-005 Dolby Digital Decoders
Manufactured by: Jazz Speakers
Price: DE-006 $145 DE- 005 : $139
Reviewed by:
Date : January 09th 2001

Specifications and Installation

SPECIFICATIONS for both DE-006 and DE-005

FUNCTIONS

2-Channel (Coaxial/Optical Input)

5.1 Digital/Pro Logic/Stereo selection

Theater/Hall/Stadium mode selection

Status

Trim

Mode

SPCFG Key

Line Key, Optical Key, Coaxial Key

C/S Delay Key, Dynamic Key

AUDIO MODES

Dolby Digital (AC-3) 5.1 Channels, Dolby Digital 2 Channel

DTS 5.1 Channels, DTS 2 Channel

Pro Logic

Stereo: 2-Channel Analog (Normal, Theater, Hall, Stadium modes)

AUDIO INPUT

3.5mm Stereo Input Jack

RCA Left/Right Input Jacks

COAXIAL

OPTICAL

AUDIO OUTPUT

3.5 mm Stereo Jacks (Front L/R, Surround L/R, Center/Subwoofer)

9 Pin DIN Jack (must conform to the JS standard DIN configuration)

REMOTE CONTROL

21 Function, 2 AAA Batteries Required

DIMENSIONS (W x H x D)

DE-006

Decoder Box:75 x 180 x 230mm, 3.0" x 7.1" x 9.1"

DE-005

Decoder Box:148x 42 x 200mm, 3.0" x 7.1" x 9.1"

Installation

DE-006

As you open up the packaging you're offered the decoder box (Surprise :) ), Power adapter, Remote control, two AAA batteries, Coaxial cable, 3.5 Stereo mini to RCA (R & L) connector and a user manual. If you're somewhat an armature in the audio arena, then the supplied user manual will hardly be of any use. It'll provide you with information as to what each function will do, but nothing comprehensive with regard to the installation. So I headed over to their web site and downloaded the .pdf manual available. While this too wasn't very comprehensive it was certainly better than the latter. Here's a small illustration on how everything fits in to the decoder box of the DE-006.

there are 3 main audio inputs which you could choose from, namely Line, Optical and Coaxial.

Here's how I have worked this out. I have attached the optical input to my set top DVD player, and the Coaxial cable to my PC sound card. Make note that your sound card should have a Coaxial S/PDIF out in order to do this. It's not necessary for you to connect all your devices into the system, however it makes everything much more convenient.

Then comes the configuration of the outputs.

As you can see right on top is a 9 Pin DIN Jack. If you plan on using this it must conform to Jazz Speaker's standard DIN configuration. Have a look at their speaker products range at www.jazzspeakers.com and see if there's anything that interests you. Don't ever opt for a two-piece or three-piece speaker system if you ever want to get the full benefits of this decoder.

Next to the 9 pin DIN connector is the most noticeable green, yellow and blue stereo outputs. The green jack is where you connect the front left and right channels. The Yellow one is for the center channel and the subwoofer. The blue is for the left surround and right surround speakers. All speech and Bass is filtered out through the Center/Sub channel, and added surround sound effects are given through the left right surround channel. One more thing you should remember is that the signals produced by the DE-006 is not amplified, so you do have to amplify each channel in order to get good sound. If you're using any Jazz Speaker system or any other PC speaker system this is not required as it has its own amplification. At the time I received the decoder from Jazz Speakers I didn't have a good center channel. So in search I went around town testing speakers and settled for a "Mission" center channel for $250. I know it's a pretty hefty price to pay, nevertheless if you're an audio enthusiast like me then it's well worth the price.

DE-005

If you had been following what I said above then their nothing more to say here other than simply follow the same instructions. Again here too the included manual is no great help, and the manual available in the web site is more detailed than the one available for the DE-006.

This is all there is to connecting all the wiring. Before we head on just remember the placement of your speakers is also very vital for good acoustics. The most common way of 5.1-speaker placement is shown in the illustration below. However let this be only a guideline, you should try out for your self various placements and see, which is best suited for your room acoustics.

<<Prev

Next>>