2 channel set up right does give 5 channel a run for music!

[chessman]

Unless you are used to listening to your music from the stage, two channel in front of you sounds more natural.

[Still-One]

It all depends on the source for me. I do not actively look for multi-channel music but I have a few older discs that sound good and they can only be played on my basic HT set-up.

Jim

[eljr]

Originally Posted by jprice

I love two channel, I love two channel, I love two channel, I love two channel, I love two channel, ad infinitum

plus another one

[Still-One]

Face & Chessman

The last thing I want when I go to a concert is to have the music sound like it is coming from where the conductor or lead singer is standing. I want it to envelop me but not to the extreme where the drummer or flute is coming from behind me.

Jim

[chessman]

Jim, I agree with you. I was teasing Mike (Face) a little and trying to make the point you just made.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by chessman

Jim, I agree with you. I was teasing Mike (Face) a little and trying to make the point you just made.

I guess that is why I own the speakers I do. They provide 2-channel with "ambience"

Jim

[DonBattles]

I didn't really understand what was possible from a dedicated two channel set up until I decided to put one together for myself. The resolution and sound stage is far better than my HT system. Not to say the HT system isn't good, it's great for what is is and movies are fun and full of life, music I always thought was pretty good but didn't realize what was possible until I put together some dedicated gear. Makes sense after all, you have specialized HT gear so why shouldn't specialized two channel gear excel over HT 5.1 or 7.1 for music.

[KT88]

Originally Posted by Dj_AmTraX

I am a two channel man.

Same here. Two ears, one brain and stereo playback!
-Bill

[KingRT]

Originally Posted by DonBattles

I didn't really understand what was possible from a dedicated two channel set up until I decided to put one together for myself. The resolution and sound stage is far better than my HT system. Not to say the HT system isn't good, it's great for what is is and movies are fun and full of life, music I always thought was pretty good but didn't realize what was possible until I put together some dedicated gear. Makes sense after all, you have specialized HT gear so why shouldn't specialized two channel gear excel over HT 5.1 or 7.1 for music.

Great point (I did not understand, until my 2 channel was set up properly). But keeping in mind, most people spend more $$$ on their speakers for 2 channel which will offer a better experience up front, like greater real space, instruments are where they should be with a grand sound-stage. There is more of an ease and naturalness to my ears . Sacd surround, often puts, an instrument behind you. Especially with rock music. Most of the Classical music that I have collected is recorded very well.
Kal has 5 speakers, all being the exact same, the last I read, so his experience might/should be different than mine. I have a matching center horizontal speaker, versus the exact same vertical stand up speaker.
I think owning both systems in dedicated rooms is well worth the great expense.
Dark Side of the moon, Sacd surround, is an entertaining circus show. I still love it and it's a go to Sacd, in demo's! But it is a gimmick.

[bart]

At the moment I'm listening to Mahler's 5th Symphony in surround.
Of course, 90% of the sound comes from the fronts and center. But like in a concert hall (I'm a regular visitor of classical and jazz concerts), you hear some reflections coming from all sides. In classical recordings, this is often very nicely done. In rock-sacd's it is indeed often more entertainment, which is also nice.