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 18 responses by kr4

Well, I can understand objecting to excessive manipulations but flatter? I suspect that something is amiss as I have NEVER heard a mch system that is flatter than a stereo system unless it is defective!

Kal
I will go multi channel when I grow more ears! :)
I know that this is usually said in jest but, otherwise, it represents a sad ignorance of hearing mechanisms.

Kal
Sure, they do, but in classical music for the most part. The vast majority of classical 5.1 is with the traditional arrangement of performers up front but with an immmersive ambiance.

Kal
Well, all other things being equal, two-channel is certainly cheaper and more compact than multichannel. ;-)

Kal
My $.02: I am not a fan of adding a center with L+R info for 2 channels sources unless the L/R setup is suboptimum, such as with too wide spacing.

OTOH, with a real phase/timing-correct and discrete center signal, the overall quality of the entire frontal soundstage is improved. As I have often said, try comparing some of the RCA Living Stereo SACDs by switching between the 2channel DSD track and the 3channel DSD track to hear the difference. Another test is to compare the quality/stability of a mono recording on a 2channel L/R playback to a mono playback only on the center channel and realize that the same thing is happening to the center image on stereo vs. mch recordings.

Also, the reference to the necessity for a center channel predates HT and does not refer to a synthesized L+R center but to a discrete one.

None of these comments directly relate to on-axis vs. off-axis listeners.

Kal
Avgoround wrote: If you're into sound coming from all around you, and don't mind the overall refinement of the recording likely deteriorated a bit, I don't think you have much to stand on in this argument.
You offer that same specious argument about sound coming from all around as an attack on multichannel. First, ambience does come from all around you at any live music event. Second, having instruments coming from all around you is not a feature of multichannel; it is a feature of BAD multichannel.

Avgoround wrote: So, I think, if you're a music aficionado, then 2 channel setup is your weapon of choice.
However, you completely ignore the existence of real, discrete multichannel music in all your arguments. FWIW.

Kal
Rockitman:
My test for multi channel versus two channel... What would the band playing live do ? I bet it's two channel ! Save the multi channel for movie soundtracks...
I find this literally incomprehensible. The band plays. What does that have to do with the number of channels?

Kal
Listening is never monaural unless you put a finger in one ear. You always listen with both ears even to a single sound source. What you might be talking about is monophonic (meaning one source) + ambiance but, even then, that applies to a tiny proportion of real events.
"I just find that multi channel sound provides a flat sound stage with very little depth compaired to two channel system. At least that is what I hear in my system."

Incredible. Must be something seriously wrong with your MCH setup.

Kal
Yes, I know about Ambiophonics but that doesn't validate the silly proposition that I was responding to.

Kal
06-12-12: Audiofreak32
Music is not intended for multichannel. Surround sound is for movies.

06-11-12: Audiofreak32
No, just stating facts...
Just because you assert your opinions does not make them facts.
Sorry, Audiolabyrinth but all one has to do is to construct a multichannel system of equal quality components and setup to yours (whatever it is) to demonstrate that MCH, per se, is superior to stereo.

Besides, who said anything about home theater or home theater components? You're just tossing in a red herring.
Cost is an issue and so is space. OTOH, the possible increase in sound quality with stereo becomes disproportionately small compared to the cost/space investment after a certain point. OTOH, the increase in sound quality due to the spatial enhancement of multichannel is substantial.

However, if all your CDs are RedBook (all CDs are RedBook, by definition), then the issue is moot to you. Also, if the discussion is about superiority/inferiority, then matters of popularity are irrelevant, as is HT.
That sounds reasonable. However, the topic is not affordability or, even, effectiveness of expenditure but superiority (or inferiority) in reproduction.

As for one's collection being predominantly 2 channel, my MCH plays stereo recordings very well and, as time passes, my MCH collection is approaching my stereo collection in quantity.
I do not think that anyone culpable for this has learned much and that includes big record companies, equipment manufacturers and reviewers. Each still has a narrow view of the options.