2. home-theater
  3. 1239507308

Two-channel is inferior to multi-channel, no?

I think that 2 channel is inferior, though, of course, my ears and reason may be mistaken.

Feedback please!

The obvious reason, I am thinking, it is that two channels are less representative of infinity (live music) than 3, 5 or 7, etc. This is the case even if the transducers, amps & speakers, and room acoustics, are perfect (dream on...) in the 2-channel mode.

In my own system, two Revel M-20s as center channel, vertically arrayed, with Revel M-50s on either side, there is the occasional CD (jazz is my thing) that sounds better in stereo, than with 5.1 processed sound, but this is rare. Most sound better with the center channel prominent (either in Dolby Standard or Music modes).

It's possible that I simply need better equipment.

But then why do I find that the best sound (in my system) is from digital sources, e.g. DVD, Blu-Ray, SACD, whether the sound reproduces music or movies. Would better equipment neutralize (and even flip) this negative comparison of stereo to multi-channel reproduction? If so, what is the explanation?

What I find in particular (for music and movies) that is that digital sources in multi-channel mode give full breath and focus to the center channel, placing this important sound component exactly where it should be: precisely in the center of the room. And giving the other channels 'room' to shine (though, in my system, given the amplification available, this should not problem).

What am I missing in theory?
pmcneil

Showing 4 responses by les_creative_edge

les_creative_edge
174 posts
 
Question to you all?

Anyone here have experience with this product?

How about with Dolby Labs Virtual Dolby?

I'm wondering on thoughts about if one wants a simple home audio system for mostly stereo music playback but to also be able to get satisfactory results using 2 speakers and a sub with Virtual Dolby on movie watching? Satisfactory results from a typical 3 seater couch listening position for movie watching in a room that is about 10x20 with about 9 ft ceilings?

Thoughts on this receiver for vinyl, tape and cd music playback too especially including using it as a preamp to a tube amp which I have?

But again any thoughts on how good Virtual Dolby sounds for general movie playback.

In reality I watch t.v. only with my Hitachi LCD projection t.v. on and it has decent sound and effects using its speakers, SRS and BBE expansion. Good enough for general t.v. watching but for movies I have run my 5.1 set up but in reality I mostly use my system for stereo music only.

Thanks in advance.
les_creative_edge
174 posts
 
BTW the gear is a Harman Kardon HK 3490 Stereo Receiver with Dolby Virtual surround.

Thanks.
les_creative_edge
174 posts
 
If the music is mastered in proper and thoughtful multi-channel sound than it will be a superb sound reproduction vehicle. Taking your stereo Redbook CD or a vinyl LP and turning on one of your processor's DSP, multi-channel Codecs may not give you the audio results you like. But some do a pretty good job. My Onkyo TX-SR806 with THX Music Cinema employed does make regular stereo recordings sound, meh pretty good. But take a hi rez digital disc properly mixed into multi-channel sound such as those Blu-ray audio discs offered by AIX Records, any Oppo BDP-83(se) user has a sampler disc in and WOW, OH WOW, OH WOW can it sound credible and lifelike.
les_creative_edge
174 posts
 
More thoughts,

If there is only one listener sitting inside the stereo sweet spot, a stereo recorded album, (CD, LP, Tape etc.) then likely stereo is going to give you the best compromise in sound quality via recorded music. If you have multiple listeners, I find after much auditioning/testing of my system that engaging a DSP such as Dolby Digital Music, DTS Music or if you have the THX choices to each above will give a better compromise presentation for all listeners in room. I find that even DSP Stereo with Audessy eq. sounds better for all if you have multiple listeners in room.

If the disc was properly engineered in multichannel surround then in a properly setup home system it will sound superior to the stereo alternative if said disc has both to for you to choose from.
More to discover