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 2 responses by mikelavigne

And, don't forget that with multichannel you get a center (as well as the surrounds). A discrete center. All playback, even that recorded with only two channels, sounds better with a center (derived). This has been known since the earliest days of stereo.

i'm not so sure. just like how we now hear much more information from Lps cut in the 50's and 60's due to dramatically better gear, the potential performance of 2-channel stereo is now much better due to better acoustics and gear. tests made in the 40's and 50's comparing 2 and 3 channels don't 'necessarily' still hold up.

when a room is completely purpose designed for 2-channel playback and the system is optimized for 2-channel i'm not convinced that a center channel adds as much as it detracts. i would agree that in a typical room that a center channel likely is a benefit if the music was recorded in 3-channel.

when i added multi-channel to my 2-channel room there were things i liked about it; but a year later i removed it because ultimately it did not satisfy for music to the degree that i looked forward to listening to multi-channel. i do have a completely separate Home Theatre 7.1 system in a separate room with front projector and all that for film.

the best of my 2-channel software (Lps and RTR tapes) out 'multi-channel' my multi-channel in terms of musical involvement. more real space, things are where they should be, and there is more ease and naturalness. of course; my room is optimized for 2-channel listening in terms of diffusion and live-ness.

i used a phantom center in my multi-channel music setup. however; i have been involved with comparing a center channel to a phantom center and personally i prefer the phantom center (using the 3-channel RCA SACD's) for music. for film i prefer a center channel for dialog.
Does center channel improve sweet spot?

not in my room (based on my personal perceptions).

in normal, semi-treated rooms a center channel can add additional dynamics and energy to the playback more than what it detracks in speaker interaction. there is no doubt a center channel speaker does somewhat detrack from 2 channel listening by it mass and reflectivity. as 11,500 of my 12,000 pieces of music software (25 15ips RTR tapes, 7500 Lps, 3200 CD's, and 800 SACD's) are 2-channel that becomes a real issue. i hardly want to move a 73" tall, 575 pound center channel out of the way when i listen to 2-channel.

Can you hear voice more anchored in the center when sitting far off-axis?

clearly a center channel does improve voice anchoring for off axis listening. but as i listen 100% of the time in the sweet spot when in my 2-channel room this is not a benefit which has merit for music listening in my room.

on a related issue; i much prefer 'Quad' as a surround sound music format to 5.1, 7.1 or 3-channel. the very best music surround i have heard has been in quad....much more balanced and natural sounding to me.

in my Home Theatre room voice anchoring off-axis is important.