2. home-theater
  3. 1052449911

Is 3 CH with a HT pre/pro better than 2 Channel

I have a nice 2 channel system that I use for music. I also have my TV's audio output connected to a input source of my 2 channel pre/amp. So, I can get listen to my TV's audio from my full range speakers (Revel Salons).

I have a sound room in a house with dimensions of 16'W x 14'L x 12'H. This room is too small to do a full 5.1 setup. I was wondering if my HT experience (ie movies/TV) would be enhanced if I purchased a centre channel, 3 channel amp, and a pre/pro. I am considering the following components:

Revel Voice
Bryston 6B-SST
Outlaw 950

I will eventually move to a bigger home and likely use these components in a 5.1 system.

Thanks in advance.
yyz

Showing 2 responses by rsbeck

rsbeck
887 posts
 
If you feel your room is big enough for Revel Salons,
I'm confused as to why you think it is too small for
a 5.1 system. Personally, I think your room is big
enough for a 5.1 system. All your speakers don't have
to be as big as your Salons. It's all a matter of taste,
but I think you might enjoy having a Center speaker to
locate the voices and link them to the actors on screen.
Adding a Sub-woofer is fun for movies and -- hell -- why
not add the rear surrounds? Add the three channel amp
and a surround pre-pro and do 5.1. Keep your two channel amp for the front L & R. Go crazy in that 14 X 16 room!

rsbeck
887 posts
 
Yyz --

I find that 90% of the time, while watching DVD's, there
is nothing coming out of the rear surrounds. However,
there are a few DVD's that have sequences using the rear
surrounds that *will* blow you away. If you are into
those types of films -- Star Wars, Private Ryan, etc --
you would see a huge difference with rear surrounds,
but on most of the films I watch -- nothing is coming out
of the rear surrounds. ZERO. There are a few films that
use the rear surrounds for a little "ambiance." If you
are making compromises, certainly, first thing to eliminate is the rear surrounds. 90% of the time, you will be
missing nothing.
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