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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
108 responses Add your response
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Hevac1..."Sound from everywhere" describes the "difuse and directionless" effect which you get when a two channel signal is out of phase between channels. It is sometimes nice, but in no way equivalent to the precisely located rear sounds of a multichannel system.

IMHO, Jazz is best heard in the form of a jam session in someone's living room. No ear plugs permitted. Chamber music is also often performed in a private residence where you can sit really close, if not in the group. I did once play in a group, so I like that perspective best.
hevac1
812 posts
 
Eldartford,
I have gone to many small jazz venues and I know of no place that lets you go and sit in the group unless you are part of it. Unless of course you want to get thrown out.
Or are you saying that the group of say 3 or 4 band members are in the seats and your in the middle of the club? I don't understand.

If you are in the group and it is using electronics most have ear plug so they hear in the correct time and so they can be in time with everyone else. If they listen from where they are instead of through the earphones with all the delays and echo's thier timing will be off. Is this not correct?

As for the Antiphonal. Q auduio has recorded roger waters and others and the sound come from every where even though only 2 speakers are used. I have some DVDA that allow stage or audience but cannot find SACDs that allow it. As far as I am aware of SACD's are still made in 2 channel and multi but not DVDA in other than 2 channel.

I just want to know if what I have learned is incorrect.
vicdamone
850 posts
 
I like both. They're so different. I admit to searching for new recordings on vinyl before other forms of media.

The best thing to happen to digital are Gordon Rankin's Wavelength USB DAC's. IMO Mr. Gordon's work in developing the TAS1020B firmware is a digital playback landmark. With more hi-res content showing up on the internet the future now has a chance of sounding much better.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Hevac1...Being "in" the band or in the audience is usually a matter of taste. However, there is quite a lot of "Antiphonal" classical music that was composed for performance by instruments located in front and behind, and this simply cannot be properly reproduced by a two channel system. Personally, I enjoy classical chamber music and small jazz groups in the surround mode because this is how I have heard live performances (and performed in them long ago).

Are you aware than some DVDA allow you to select your preferred perspective? "Stage" or "Audiemce". We can all be happy.
hevac1
812 posts
 
Most of the CD's you listen to are red book and recorded in 2 channels at 16/44.1. Most of the DVD & SACD & DVDA are not, they are typically 24/96 or higher. There is more information so yes they will sound better than most any CD. Vinyl in 2 channels sounds way better than most CD's IMHO. Vinyl has depth and space just for starters. Redbook CD's for me sound flat and uninvolving unless played on say a DCS type system. I do really like the new 24/96 or 196 from music servers with outboard DACs for 2 cannel, they are very involving.

The issue I have with multi channel is that a lot of them put you IN the band. Not listening to them in a seat say 7 rows back. I myself do not like being part the band, it does not seem real and would not happen in real life for most of us anyway. I do not want to hear instuments behind me unless it was meant to be by the artists.

For instance, I went to 2 Pink Floyd concerts along time ago. The sound effects were going all around and back and forth but not the instruments, they were all in front of me and sounded that way. The multi channel SACD of DSOTM sounds nothing like the live concert. Listening to the SACD I felt I was IN the band. I have listened to some multi-channel that do not do this but they have been few.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
It took me a while to find it but here's a previous thread that has all the opinions you could ask for on the subject.
For the record though, I prefer two channel because it suits my room.
mmarvin19
157 posts
 
Hi PMC neil.

You might want to take a look at the "What do you think" thread at the top of this page,

Mike
unsound
7,329 posts
 
No, at least not in my opinion. Dollar for dollar I think two-channel offers better quality/value, and most people don't have large enough rooms to properly accomodate the extra channels. There is only a tiny percentage of well recorded multi-channel music available compared to well recorded two-channel music. But, if money and space aren't an issue, I suppose multi-channel could be superior.
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