Blu-ray Audio 2.0 LPCM vs. 5.1 DTS-HD

I just have the two options of 5.1 and 2.0.
So I don’t know if it’s mixing or omitting.
It just sounds damn good in the 5.1.

In the future if I have a choice of mixing or omitting, which should I select?

I also prefer 5.1 DTS-HD from my Oppo 205 with balanced stereo analog to an Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp.  The setting is down-mixed stereo.  For SACDs and CDs, I much prefer my Ayre C-5xeMP.

db 

If your hi fi system especially the speekers are good enough 2.0LPCM is much better. I found 5.1DTS-HD sound synthetic, artificial and over mixed.

I found the 5.1 sounded that way with my old player.
With the Oppo 105D it clearly sounds much more open and detailed and with better dynamic range.
It could be the source materials vary with each format.
My system is in the 15K to 20K range.

Rvpiano > I find with other record companies the sound of the options vary as to what sounds better. I thought the 5.1 was designed for a multi-speaker surround setup. Can anyone explain what’s going on?

Blindjim > spacial cues designed for six loudspeakers, being down mixed into four less speakers seems prudent enough for a general answer.

Yes, 5.1 audio info is designed to be best reproduced using a sub and 5 associated speakers arranged more or less in a semi circle of sorts. Often the surrounds are used as rears. Its not cast into stone and no one will come to arrest you if you differ.

Craming all six ch into two ch has wiered effects at times.

And yes, different discs, or lables, or productions will sound differently as will different devices doing those down mixes. Some may just eliminate the ancillary channels altogether! Some devices may throw them all into the stereo presentation. This depends.

Bottom line is if you dig a thing a certain way, or a particular thing done differently, super! Just super! It is BTW, your stuff and your enjoyment and or entertainment.

The ‘hard & fast’ rules regarding what MUST be done are few in audioland. I’ve not yet seen any regarding the way we listen amounting to anything beyond personal preffs. Nothing wrong with that at all. Personal preffs drive the industry.

For the next bump up the audio fascination hill, add a sub. Or not. The cops won’t come either way. Unless you bug the neighbors with excessive volume..

Be well. Have fun.

Jim,

What you describe is chaos.  I think the problem is, so many are into multi-channel and surround sound that the two channel listener has to fend for himself in the world of Blu-ray and DVD. The companies simply aren’t gearing these products to you.
Whats maddening, is even within the same company there are discrepancies.
The aforementioned Naxos BD’s definitely sounded better with 5.1, but on another disc from Naxos, the 2.0 and 5.1 were indistinguishable sonically, one not much different from the other!
Bottom Line, you are right. You have to choose among the formats as to what sounds best to you.
There is no way of telling in advance what’s going to sound best without experimentation.