Very basic stereo versus 5:1 question?


If you are running 5:1, does the left and right front channel get adjusted for frequency compared to listening to the same soundtrack as stereo?

The reason I ask is that I my 5:1 digital inputs just died and so I switched to running stereo. The amount of bass detail that showed up in the stereo output was much improved over what I was getting in a the 5:1 setup. This is for watching TV movies and motor racing.

The 5:1 front channel L/R is through a Bryston SP 1.7, Bryston amp to B&W 801 fronts. When I switched to stereo mode I sent the same signal to a Bel Canto DAC, the same Bryston amp and the same B&W 801 fronts.

I watch motor racing and the quality and impact of the bass is much improved in stereo mode. Missing the center channel is certainly noticeable for dialog in movies etc. So, best of both worlds would be 5:1 but with the same bass quality as I get in stereo mode.

Is there some inherent difference in the signal quality of 5:1 front information versus stereo that might account for this difference?

Any thoughts suggestions?

thanks, Mark.
mkeeton

Showing 1 response by internetmin

Mark,

Kal (KR4) is correct, there is and should be no difference with some caveats.

The Bryston doesn't have room correction but for others to note, processors/receivers with room correction do not have the ability to apply that to the analog inputs (Anthem processors do this and are a rare exception to the rule). Having room correction turned off or unavailable will sometimes make the bass level seem greater but you are experiencing room boom and gain at the expense of bass clarity.

The second item is to make sure that you don't have the bass controls enabled. When you switch inputs/sources, you may have engaged the bass and treble controls.

Third, I have noticed that digital outputs vs. analog outputs for Cable set top boxes are all over the place in quality difference. The analog inputs are very different in their sound than the digital. I think that what you are describing is an issue with the TV or set top box analog settings vs. the digital outputs.

I don't think it's an issue related to the Bryston. It's the analog vs. digital outputs at the source.