At What Price Point is Surround Better than Stereo?

[nicoff]

We can easily reason that a $1k stereo system has to sound better than a $1k surround system. The surround system requires more speakers and amplification for one.

But there is a point where due to the law of diminishing returns, in order to make a two channel system sound much better, one has to spend a ton of money.

So we know the answer for a $1k system. But what if we have, say, $25k or ??

[scirica]

:scratchhead:

[BWLover]

For what type of media I guess is where we could start....

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by BWLover

For what type of media I guess is where we could start....

In the interest of equability, one should assume them to be of equal in resolution and other parameters.

[GaryProtein]

I was wondering when you would post and what you would say.

So I deduce that means there is no equivalent price point and by your statement, with similar resolution and other parameters, does that mean it would cost about 2.5 to 3 times as much for a 5.1 system?

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

In the interest of equability, one should assume them to be of equal in resolution and other parameters.

Yes. Equal resolution and other parameters.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by BWLover

For what type of media I guess is where we could start....

I was thinking of an all digital system just for simplicity.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

I was wondering when you would post and what you would say.

So I deduce that means there is no equivalent price point and by your statement, with similar resolution and other parameters, does that mean it would cost about 2.5 to 3 times as much for a 5.1 system?

No. I was only saying that the format of the source materials should not be a factor and should differ only in number of channels. That is, the source materials should have the same inherent quality in terms of resolution, dynamic range, noise, etc..

In my personal opinion, the blandishments of a surround sound system become preferable to a stereo system of the same cost in the $10-15K range.

[2fastdriving]

I guess it depends on the goal. If you want to watch the expendables movies and shake the house, you can do it pretty cheaply and feel good about the setup. If you want to feel like Ella Fitzgerald is standing in your living room, it'll cost you more.

Or maybe I just don't understand the point of the post [emoji15]

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I guess it depends on the goal. If you want to watch the expendables movies and shake the house, you can do it pretty cheaply and feel good about the setup. If you want to feel like Ella Fitzgerald is standing in your living room, it'll cost you more.

Or maybe I just don't understand the point of the post [emoji15]

I am not talking about movies or shaking the house. I am referring to a multi speaker system to listen to music.