Lee Scoggins
Senior HTF Member
I love all the High-Res websites, but HFR is, for me, the first and last word when I wanna know the scoop.I agree Rich - I find HFR to be superb and they scoop most people all the time. I find Brian Moura to be a very consistent and credible source.
I too am interested in the non-use of center channel. Done well, that should sound awesome.
By the way, I used the first link to HFR because it described the reviewer's system which I think is always important.
I find the emphasis that some listeners place on the center channel to be misguided. My system images well enough that, if you are in the sweet spot, you'd have a hard time telling whether the center is on or I had turned it off and engaged 'phantom'.For myself, my "center preference" (or unpreference) is really only based on a single multichannel mix: Krall's "When I Look in Your Eyes".
But, now that I think about it, it's not really the non-use of a discrete center channel for vocals that bugs me so much about the Krall mix... rather, it's the spread of her voice to all channels. Had it been primarily mixed into the mains to create a sorta wider center image, I'm sure I'd have no problem with it (and, now that I think about it, I'm sure quite a number of my discs have it mixed just in this way... including, perhaps, Guthrie's mix for "In the Flesh").
in the haunting and famous wordless vocal of ‘Great Gig in the Sky’, the Clare Torry solo lurks from all channels but the center.Ugh!
One of the greatest vocal solo's in the history of rock, if not recorded music, is turned into a chorus.
Blasphemous!
to be misguided.as well?
If one "properly" sets up a two channel music system, one can achieve phantom surround information as well.While fronts are truly in front of you, surrounds are largely or wholly to the side (if set up correctly). Therefore, a center rear is actually adding another plane to the soundstage.
Also, center rear is typically used for movies, where you are more likely to have people out of the sweet spot. When I listen to music, it is usually alone or with one other person.
Again, in my experience, if the fronts are imaging really well you won't be able to tell if the center is active or not.
over-emphasized. Right?
another plane to the soundstage.Is soooooooooooooo, lame!
Besides, adding as you stated, superior off axis soundstaging as well!
Michael,
I am sorry, I miss the point of your answer to my quote (post 15 of 16).
Are you agreeing with me that a properly set up "stereo" system can also create phantom surround information as well?
Thanks.
is recorded taking advantage of the discreet 6 channels now available to them.Again, I disagree. There is no reason why a music only mix should have anything to do with the LFE track, as again, this is not something that most listening environments can be set up accurately for. Low end should be bass managed. That way, the tonal representation stays intact, and select low end frequencies aren't being emphasised or downplayed due to improper system calibration.
I advocate a 4.0 approach, which will more successfully translate to a variety of listening environments reasonably intact, including the car, which is where I see surround really having a chance to take off.