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MultiChannel too complicated for most...

I've been on the gon for a little while now, posting and enjoying all the spectacular virtual systems. There is one thing I've noticed though. It's that many seem to associate the terms 2 channel and simple, especially when heading and detailing their virtual systems. I don't see it too often in threads, but every now and again it'll show up their as well.

Me being the multichannel guy I am, this small and most times overlooked detail seemed to jump out at me. Its been a passing thought for a while, but seems to be a somewhat valid question.

Now...before I go any further, this is not in insight a riot and bombard the moderators with request to have this thread pulled because it "potentially offends" 2 channel lovers. This is not that kind of posting, but just posing a question that has crossed my mind more times that one.

Do 2channel only audiophiles shun multichannel (discrete or DSP based) because they find it too complicated?

If the concept of thinking in 360 degrees (Multichannel) were simplified, for a lack of better terms, would multichannel be more accepted?
cdwallace

Showing 4 responses by eldartford

eldartford
4,262 posts
 
It is not simple or cheap to get a multichannel system set up right, and not all MC discs realize the potential of the media. For music the 5.1 speaker array, designed for movies is not ideal. The 2+2+2 array (see www.222sound.ch) is better. Too bad that audiophiles in this country won't support it. Blame the WAF. One surprisingly large genre of music, antiphonal, simply cannot be reproduced without MC.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Tbg...With excellent imaging speakers and with precise placement of them in an acoustically treated room a 2-channel system can create the sensation of three-dimensional space. But this is, in the end, only a psychoacoustical trick, and is easily disrupted by moving the listener's location. On the other hand, a good multichannel system, especially with the 2+2+2 speaker configuration creates a real (not in your head) three dimensional sound field. You can walk around in it.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Tbg...You are quite correct that matrix multichannel from vinyl rarely produced good effect. I think that two reasons are:
1...The rear channels were predominantly vertical groove modulation which is noisy.
2...Four channels from two is too much to ask. Matrix 3-channel (to drive a center speaker) is good.

With CDs, reason 1 does not apply, but the results are still poor. But, with digital, the oportunity for discrete multichannel exists, so why bother with matrix?
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eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Tbg...Many MC discs do not put the listener "in the orchestra" although some people who play or played in an orchestra or chior enjoy such a presentation. I find it particularly appropriate for chamber music where live performances are ideally held in relatively small rooms that do put the listener in the midst of the performers. Jazz too.

Some DVDA let you select the mix you prefer: "stage" or "audience".
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