The surround issue
Here’s a picture of the connectors on the XA3051 sub:
The bottom row is the speaker connectors (plus a curious-looking proprietary power connector). The top row has one hole for the wired remote, plus three more holes: an input for a stereo headphone jack, and inputs for stereo console connections.
Yes, the system only has inputs for stereo. On further inspection, it appears that the sub features a Dolby Pro Logic decoder. “But wait…” you cry, “don’t modern consoles use Pro Logic II instead?”. Yes they do. “And I thought Pro Logic was 3.1, not 5.1!”. You’re right again: Instead of using the sub for Pro Logic-style surround, the two rear satellites do the job by spewing out the same (faked) signal. The subwoofer itself is faked outside the Dolby Pro Logic spec by Altec, and simply plays any low sounds.
A hit of the remote’s “Test” button verifies this, where the rear satellites hiss out at the same time, and the sub hisses in general when it feels like it.
So what does this mean for you, gentle reader? Well, for one thing, forget Dolby Digital. Then forget DTS. Then downgrade Pro Logic II. I tested the speakers with a number of titles, and the only game which gave me any surround at all was Star Wars: Rogue Leader for the GameCube, a Pro Logic II title. The general rumble in the room as I flew about certainly added to atmosphere, but I was disappointed that when enemies were shooting at me from behind; I got a Pro Logic feeling of “Bad people behind you somewhere. Maybe.” rather than a Pro Logic II feeling of “Bad man behind and on the left”.
