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Two Channel or Surround Sound

post #1 of 8
3/14/08 at 2:23pm
Thread Starter 
I've got a brand new job and a decent signing bonus, so I've decided it was time for me to upgrade from my old CRT and desktop radio, and get a real home theater setup. I'm pretty much settled on the "visual" parts of the A/V system, but I'm having trouble deciding which route to take for the sound system.

Although I do watch movies at home, they probably constitute about 5% of what I will be using the stereo for. I have never been one who really likes the whole surround sound thing anyways (when I want the theater experience, I would rather go to a movie theater than stay at home). What I am looking for is a solid music and TV experience, and a tolerable movie experience. I am trying to decided if I am better off purchasing a 2.1 or 5.1/7.1 receiver. If I go with a 2.1, will the voice track on the movies be impossible to hear like it is on my TV?

My budget is tighter than I would like, so I don't want to waste money on features I won't be using. I already know I will not be purchasing rear channel/ surround speakers. Instead, I will be looking at better quality bookshelf speakers (because of size restrictions), and a sub. I would also like to put the money I would have spent on a center channel into a better quality receiver.

This is my first real home audio set up. I'm not expecting miracles with my budget ($1500-$3000 for audio), but I do want equipment that will sound good and last a few years.
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post #2 of 8
3/15/08 at 4:00pm

Re: Two Channel or Surround Sound

Since you haven't had any responses from the "gurus" yet, I'll pass on a few thoughts.
My requirements have been almost exactly the same as yours, very few movies, some TV, but mainly music.
I opted for some good speakers ($1500) and a good integrated amp ($1000). I haven't felt the need to add a sub, but that's personal preference.
If you choose speakers which have good imaging, you'll not miss the center speaker. In my setup the TV vocals are crisp and properly placed.
On good CD's there is an almost holographic dimension to the sound. When I first tried out the new setup, there was one CD where I felt as though the singer was about two feet in front of me.
I wont ramble on but, unless you plan on delving into multi-channel SACD and DVD-Audio, I think a simple setup using good quality components can be very satisfying. And your movie experience will be more than tolerable!

Good luck!
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post #3 of 8
3/15/08 at 8:00pm

Re: Two Channel or Surround Sound


I’ll vote with Carl. Since movies are only 5% of your system use, there’s no reason to get a surround sound receiver. However, you won’t be able to use the center channel speaker you mentioned with a stereo receiver.

I would definitely get a sub, because that’ll let you use the smaller main speakers you want, not to mention that allows you to situate the mains for best imaging and the sub for best response and extension. Plus it lets you equalize the sub to eliminate peaks and valleys in response, which you’ll definitely want to do.

One thing you didn’t mention was TV viewing. You’ll want to get TV audio through the stereo, too...

Wayne A. Pflughaupt
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post #4 of 8
3/15/08 at 11:45pm

Re: Two Channel or Surround Sound

Quote:
.....I think a simple setup using good quality components can be very satisfying. And your movie experience will be more than tolerable!
Totally agree.

While many stereo receivers include a subwoofer output, they never seem to include a proper filtering system i.e. bass management, particularly for the satellites........except for this one:

Outlaw RR2150 + review.

$650. Bass management is accomplished in the analog domain, so no digital conversions of analog sources like vinyl. Speaking of that, this receiver has a preamp that can handle both MM and MC cartridges. Also includes a USB input. People that have seen it say it looks much better in person.

Here's Pioneer's brand new 2.0 Elite receivers:

SX-A6 and SX-A9
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post #5 of 8
3/16/08 at 5:24am

Re: Two Channel or Surround Sound

I only moved from stereo to surround because I found it far easier to hear dialogue. Surround sound is fun (and I have a weakness now for 5.1 remixes) but it's not the be-all and end-all of existence.
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post #6 of 8
3/16/08 at 8:11am

Re: Two Channel or Surround Sound

Quote:
Outlaw RR2150 + review.

$650. Bass management is accomplished in the analog domain, so no digital conversions of analog sources like vinyl. Speaking of that, this receiver has a preamp that can handle both MM and MC cartridges. Also includes a USB input.
The 2150, paired with their new LCR speakers (or their other bookshelves) and say the LMF-1 sub "should" make an outstanding two channel setup.
Quote:
People that have seen it say it looks much better in person.
I hope so .
Quote:
I think a simple setup using good quality components can be very satisfying. And your movie experience will be more than tolerable!
Quote:
I’ll vote with Carl.
Quote:
Totally agree.
Can't argue with anyone. But in defense of the 5.1/7.1 option, you will get video up-conversion/hdmi, auto setup with room correction eq, and the option of adding a center channel if the need arises. But in this particular situation and a $300 budget, the Outlaw 2150 would be tempting.
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post #7 of 8
3/16/08 at 1:54pm

Re: Two Channel or Surround Sound

A lot of "how satisfactory an experience" it will be depends a great deal on the software in question.

And where you sit.

If you're in the sweet-spot of a good stereo pair, you can get a good, convincing, center/surround audio "image" that will beat most 5.1 mixes and playback arrays.

The devil is, as the saying goes, in the details. In some older films, the sound people actually worked hard on their project, and produced an excellent stereo mix. And when played back in stereo, something amazing happens.

If you're in the sweet spot of your speaker-pair, you get a full recreated phase-intact sound-field that will fool your ears into hearing not just the sound-stage in front of you, but also behind you. And if they can do that, it will almost always be more satisfactory than one created by a 5.1 or 7.1 array.

Here's the reason: the soundfield being created by the stereo pair will have a level of uniformity and balance that is virtually impossible to recreate via multiple discreet radiators. You don't need to "balance" them, adjust their spacing, aim, or even match identically five or more speakers, because your two speakers are doing all of the work.

The second real issue is the software. All too often, the sound-designers haven't a clue how to do their job, and do a crudy mix. It may be a "gee whiz!" sort of mix with bullet ricochettes all around you, but it's not holistic.

My favorite example of a truly superior stereo mix for stereo playback is the original Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, either the "Faces" or "Definitive Collection" laserdiscs; I haven't tried it on the most recent DVD reissue of the "original" trilogy. But the thing to try is to just sit and watch. From the opening fanfare (after the Fox fanfare, that is,) through the first five or so minutes where Harrison Ford's character rides and walks through the ice-hanger, and into the command room. The spread of the sound effects, dialog, music, ambience, and everything is fantastic.

All in simple, two speaker stereo.

Good luck,

Leo
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post #8 of 8
3/21/08 at 10:41am

Re: Two Channel or Surround Sound

Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlDJr
Since you haven't had any responses from the "gurus" yet, I'll pass on a few thoughts.
My requirements have been almost exactly the same as yours, very few movies, some TV, but mainly music.
I opted for some good speakers ($1500) and a good integrated amp ($1000). I haven't felt the need to add a sub, but that's personal preference.
If you choose speakers which have good imaging, you'll not miss the center speaker. In my setup the TV vocals are crisp and properly placed.
On good CD's there is an almost holographic dimension to the sound. When I first tried out the new setup, there was one CD where I felt as though the singer was about two feet in front of me.
I wont ramble on but, unless you plan on delving into multi-channel SACD and DVD-Audio, I think a simple setup using good quality components can be very satisfying. And your movie experience will be more than tolerable!

Good luck!

Just what I did for my second system.
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