Question For Those That Watch Movies/TV Through Your Two Channel System


Do you leave your Preamp/Integrated in stereo mode or switch to Mono?
Does the dialog lose the clarity that you usually get with a center channel
speaker? 

The reason I ask is because I gifted my son a Node 2i and we connected it
to his entry level Denon AV receiver. He has 3 Mirage speakers LCR, no 
surrounds. Obviously, an Integrated Amp would result in better two channel
sound, but would it be detrimental to watching BluRay movies.

He has a turntable setup in another room with Yamaha, Rega and Harbeth,
but he wanted the Node 2i in the main family room where it would get the most
use.  
 
ericsch

Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

Eric, I think most of the issues have been covered by those above me.
Unless the sound source is miles away our vision can an does override our hearing and speech will be localized to the individual talking. With a good system imaging correctly a center channel is totally unnecessary and maybe even detrimental. If you look at my system you will see a very big screen and no center channel. I do not even use surround speakers.
I would rather put the money into my 2 channel gear. 
Set the system up and live with it for a while. I suspect that you will not feel the need for a center channel. 
Erik, perhaps I should have explained myself better. For two channel hi fidelity listening a center channel is detrimental. The only time it has merit is when the two channels are so far apart that you wind up with the proverbial "hole in the middle." Klipsch had this problem with K horns as they had to go into the corners and were frequently too far apart to image the center. Thus, he came up with the concept of the center channel in the late 50's. Now, if a good two channel system can image a singer to the center it can certainly image a speaking voice to the center. The problem comes when you are sitting off axis out of the listening position. The center image becomes blurred and the voice may or may not appear to come from the center with your eyes closed. But, as soon as you open your eyes the voice will snap right to the image, a trick our brains do automatically for us. 
In short, all these extra channels are just the audio manufacturer's way of trying to shove more speakers and amplifiers down our throats.
Erik, if you want to have a video game hi fi that is your prerogative. I do have a 5.2 system. it is up in my exercise room.