Stereo or Multi-channel?

[dantes0929]

Originally Posted by Toccata

Which do you prefer? When I first bought a multi-channel system, I was in love with the extra spaciousness and overall realism. However,I just hooked up my Sony XA5400ES via XLR and couldn't believe how good it sounds! I definitely prefer it in that mode to my Oppo 105--just sounds more natural and detailed. This experiment has also made me reconsider the advantages of multi-channel sound. Yes, it is more spacious, and if properly done, makes one feel like he's in a concert hall (for classical music, which comprises 99% of my listening), but now I'm starting realize that the extra spaciousness often comes at the expense of details and imaging. Mind blown! I think I'll use the Sony in stereo for RBCDs and SACDs, with the Oppo reserved for movies and Blu-ray audio discs. Now, if only I could talk my wife into a new Esoteric or Krell SACD player! (I had previously scoffed at super-high end players since most are stereo only.)

One thing you have to take the concidiration is to have your center channel speaker Tweeter has to be equal level to your main speaker tweeters level in order to get a right setup, if you position your center channel speaker lower or higher than your main speakers then you're going to get wrong information and sound, and make sure all of your speakers to have the same 8 or 4 ohm. For Example If you have 8 ohm speakers then all of your speakers must be 8ohm, and the same manufacturer speakers to match the tonal phase.
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[Toccata]

Very few classical labels completely immerse the listener in the sound field--mostly 2L and Tacet. A few do tend to have too much direct sound in the rear channels--makes the imaging rather diffuse and vague, while still others have very little signal in the rear channels. I do, however, think that solo pipe organ and choral music might sound better in m-ch, so I'll use the full system for those recordings.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by Mr_Sukebe

In general, I find a lot of multi-channel recordings a little "odd".
I can't remember ever seeing a live band where the vocalist and drums were middle, and I had say a guitarist sat behind my right shoulder. Just doesn't feel natural to me.

Indeed, I don't care for that either but the fault lies not with the medium but with the producer who misapplied the options available. Fortunately, for me, this phenomenon is very rare in classical multichannel.

[AudioNut]

Multi Channel Sucks

Or at least, it must suck, because I don't have one . . . and like most folks, I do tend to knock things I don't have, or that I don't know very much about.

Therefore: Multi Channel Sucks


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[Toccata]

Haha. Well, with stereo gear as nice as yours, I can't imagine forsaking it for M-ch!

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by AudioNut

Multi Channel Sucks

Or at least, it must suck, because I don't have one . . . and like most folks, I do tend to knock things I don't have, or that I don't know very much about.

Therefore: Multi Channel Sucks


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Great post Julian. A few word changes and that post should become the sticky that everyone must read before posting on AA.

[Toccata]

Originally Posted by dantes0929

One thing you have to take the concidiration is to have your center channel speaker Tweeter has to be equal level to your main speaker tweeters level in order to get a right setup, if you position your center channel speaker lower or higher than your main speakers then you're going to get wrong information and sound, and make sure all of your speakers to have the same 8 or 4 ohm. For Example If you have 8 ohm speakers then all of your speakers must be 8ohm, and the same manufacturer speakers to match the tonal phase.
.

By necessity, the center is lower, but all are 4 ohm and are in the DALI Epicon line.

[redm]

I gotta say, after hassling with getting stereo imaging perfect, I really appreciate a great 3 chan setup!

Especially for multiple listeners!

[ehoove]

I guess I am a 2 channel guy. The definition is better, though I have not invested in a TOLL multi channel rig. FWIW
Regards,
Jim

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by ehoove

I guess I am a 2 channel guy. The definition is better, though I have not invested in a TOLL multi channel rig. FWIW

Then it is not a fair comparison. Why should the definition be better or worse if all the channels are of the same or equal componentry?

What is TOLL?