Car Audio Related Transfer Function (5.1 to Stereo)

[Anatoli]

Hi, Guys!

Maybe some of you have already explored the ways of proper downmixing of 5.1 surround sound for simple car audio environment that includes 4 speakers (2 front and 2 rear). The main thing here is to preserve surround effects to the highest extent possible. Would be nice to have conversion settings for popular instruments used by this forum. So.. A helping hand is needed.

Thanks in advance!

[tebasuna51]

We can do any downmix.
But the problem here is if your audio car player can send different signal to front speakers and rear.

[Anatoli]

For pure experiment let's assume that front and rear speakers reproduce the same stereo sound and the listener is in the center of all 4 speakers. This environment is a bit different to those used by DVS (Dolby Virtual Speaker) and DHP (Dolby Headphone). Any suggested steps to start with?

[tebasuna51]

Nope, if front left speaker play the same sound than rear left I don't know how you can preserve surround effects.

[ramicio]

the easiest thing would be to just get a 4-channel amp and forgo the head unit. head units only do fade for front and rear and they are connected, so no surround. the computer has to be the volume control then and you should start out at low volume because it will be getting amplified to the max.