2. home-theater
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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 3 responses by cdwallace3

cdwallace3
41 posts
 
Its been a very long time since I've posted here. This subject has drown me back yet again.

Contrary to previous postings. 2 Channel is NOT inferior to multichannel yet its the corner of it. You can't have a great MC setup without an equally impressive 2 channel setup. If your 2 channel is off, so will your MC.

IMO, if you can pinpoint your center or surround channels, they aren't setup right. The center should help anchor the image not create it. The holographic creation is done with the "2channel" setup and the center channel, in essence, helps to solidify the depth and image of the soundstage, etc. However, to get the center right, it has to gel with the surrounds as well. I know its all greek to some and gibberish to others, but its reality for me and has been for quite some time.

The concept of surround SHOULD be modeled after the concept of stereo: multiple speakers working as one. If you can't grasp that concept then its all for not.
cdwallace3
41 posts
 
05-25-11: Isochronism
I will go multi channel when I grow more ears! :)

This requires growing another brain...get it? ;-)
cdwallace3
41 posts
 
Guess they've buried their heads back in the sand...
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