Why I like 2-channel HT...

steveinaz

- Signal straight from the source, to the display. No recievers, no additional processing, etc. This can do nothing but improve picture quality.
- Simpler/less cabling probably means less noise
- Easier setup for sure; definitely less expensive
- I like 2-channel sound
- Unless properly integrated from the start, many HT setups look like a college dorm room--no thanks.
- I can almost completely isolate audio from video due to less integration.

Kex

... and, IMO, what many new HT enthusiasts might want to consider is that two properly placed (for stereo imaging) good speakers, with a good integrated amp, will always sound vastly better than a mediocre/average 5.1/7.1 AVR based HT system. With new, refurbished or used purchases, this can be a very inexpensive way to get fabulous HT sound.

danger boy

i understand not everyone wants to hook up an entire home theater or cares to... but no matter how awesome a 2 ch home theater set up is.. it can not recreate the surround sound effect of having true surround speakers. as said, no matter how incredible your 2 ch system is.. having those effect's speakers behind you gives you a complete home theater experience for movies.

since all of my home theater speakers are powered by individual mono block amps.. i can easily turn off the two surround speakers. it's easy to tell when watching a movie that something ain't right. not having surround speakers is like only having 4 of your 8 cylinders firing in your car engine. yeah it runs, but not great.

but to each his own. i'm not pummeling anyone who likes a 2 ch only home theater system.
and yeah it's way less hassle and cost that's fo sure.

WilliamM2

- Signal straight from the source, to the display. No recievers, no additional processing, etc. This can do nothing but improve picture quality.

Most TV's have HDMI now, passing through a reciever will not alter the digital signal, unless you want it to.

- Simpler/less cabling probably means less noise

See above.

Yashu

This is how I roll too...

I use my 2 channel rig for HT. I have an Adcom GFS-3 for speaker selection to go from my main listening speakers (various bookshelves) to my HT towers (PSBs) and anything else I want to experiment with.

I noticed that when speakers image well enough, there is no real need for a center. The sound seems to come from the right place across the screen without issue, and even though I have no surroundsound, it is still pretty open and spacious.

My friends think I am nuts for spending so much money on something that "can't even do surround sound?!?!", but I think it sounds great and it's no distraction when watching movies. It is a great way to extend the usefulness of my whole system. I am about music first, so this is a bonus.

For people that have a lot invested into 2 channel, I almost want to say buy a dinky little HTIB for movies so you don't mess with the music system, but it actually works out well if you have the right setup, as in, TV between one pair of speakers, maybe an amp with an A/B switch so you can go from the music listening to the HT. (I find that having a big TV between the speakers can be weird with music, but if you have a flat screen it wouldn't matter)

Dennis Gardner

Yeah, and keep telling yourself that size doesn't matter...........;)

cubdog

I really like my HT set up. However I do not use it for music unless I'm watching a concert DVD. It's nice to have options.

cubdog

Face

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

Yeah, and keep telling yourself that size doesn't matter...........;)

LOL!

This is why I have separate 2ch and HT systems. If your room allows it, it's possible to run a "phantom" center and not miss the center channel. Unless you have HUGE full range speakers, there's no substitute for a LFE channel and a good sub. And no matter what you do, you'll still miss out on rear effects.

MillerLiteScott

I have a full 5.1 system and a two channel in the same space. I use my MF A308 as a Two Channel integrated using a TT and Cd palyer as a source to usually a pair of 2B TL's. For my HT I use a POS Yamaha AVR as the processor and it uses the MF as a two channel amp via a HT pass through. My center and rear surrounds are powered by a 5 channel amp. It works very well for me in both modes. If I watch a music video/concert I usually turn the sub, surrounds and center off and listen with just the 2 stereo SDA speakers and most people would not be able to tell that the sound was only coming from the two front speakers. After I have told someone that it was only coming from the two speakers they get up and put their ear infront of the center channel in disbelief.

2 channel rocks.

tonyb

Same camp as steve,but I threw in surrounds for background effects.Came from a full blown SRT set-up and gotta say,that aside from the lfe output,the 2 speakers I have now sound better than the 7 I had before.Throw the majority of the coin at the 2 fronts and source,can't go wrong.

joeparaski

Same here...got the 5.1 and 2-channel running independent of each other or they can run at the same time. I can use the subs with the 2 channel if I choose to do so.

Joe

mantis

2 channel is for music. Multichannel is for theater and music recorded in multichannel.

Less isn't more. It's just less.

Different strokes....

Dan

Early B.

It's pointless to talk about "2-channel HT" because it doesn't exist. The term, "home theater" implies multiple speakers, so if you only got two speakers, it ain't home theater.

unc2701

You sir need to pick up a Meridian 565. Used, they be found for less than $500, they've got no video processing and might just change your opinion about 5.1.

Ricardo

A good 5.1 movie watching experience cannot be substituted by 2 speakers. Period.

Not that 2 speakers cannot sound good...but no matter what you say, you are missing something from the experience.

AudioFilet

I don't see what the beef is here. I have a 7.1 system in the front room, 5.1 system in the bedroom. Every room in the house has at least one 2 channel setup, one room has 3 sometimes. Tubes, integrateds, separates, receivers, DAC's, you name it. The garage even has a stereo in it.

This enables me to take the "CD of the day" in one hand, margarita in the other and stagger from one room to the next until I find the sound I like for the situation, and park it there and enjoy.

So, how do ya like me now??

F1nut

Go mono or go home.

Kex

AudioFilet wrote: »

I don't see what the beef is here. I have a 7.1 system in the front room, 5.1 system in the bedroom. Every room in the house has at least one 2 channel setup, one room has 3 sometimes. Tubes, integrateds, separates, receivers, DAC's, you name it. The garage even has a stereo in it.

This enables me to take the "CD of the day" in one hand, margarita in the other and stagger from one room to the next until I find the sound I like for the situation, and park it there and enjoy.

So, how do ya like me now??

Sounds like a lifestyle to me ... only I'd always prefer wine (including vintage Champagne) to the margarita!

Kex

F1nut wrote: »

Go mono or go home.

You're just upset because there are so many f1nuts and F1nutties around here these days ...

P.S. brother's been to Magny Cours and Silverstone BTW.

F1nut

Kex wrote: »

You're just upset because there are so many f1nuts and F1nutties around here these days ...

P.S. brother's been to Magny Cours and Silverstone BTW.

Nah, I just don't believe that one needs surround sound to enjoy a good movie, but I'm sure it helps with 99% of the crap coming out of Liberalwood.

I lived in England and spent time in France.

reeltrouble1

Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Says it all for F1.

And in HT, a 2-ch imitates a HT.

RT1

wingnut4772

Ok Steve, ONLY because you are my Audio Twin in Progress::D

I will say this; If you really have your two channel set up properly - speaker placement etc - 2 channel HT should sound very decent with a well engineered flick.
When I first started dabbling in two channel, I would use 5.1 movies to help me place my speakers. When I achieved the proper illusion of surround sound (as best can be for 2 speakers) I knew I was on the money. And it was decent and convincing.

That being said, my 7.2 arrangement totally blew away 2 speakers for HT.:p

reeltrouble1

wingnut4772 wrote: »

That being said, my 7.2 arrangement totally blew away 2 speakers for HT.:p

exactly.

RT1

jakelm

I think you can have the best of both world. Nothing wrong with starting with a very nice 2 channel system , then building around it with surround speakers. Thats what I did. My 7's and Hafler amp, make up an excellent 2 channel system. Then with the touch of a button, I can wtach a movie in TrueHD or DD+. With a good 2 channel system, playing a direct , well recorded, CD or Vinyl, it can fill the room with joy. But watching a movie, is something totally different. Most movies were ment to playback in digital. Thats would be like taking a Master recording album and converting it to digital. Just wouldnt sound right. In the same respect, taking an excellent digital surround recording of a movie and converting it to analog 2 channel, just doesnt sound right.

Thats why I'm on my way to having the best of both worlds.:D

sda2mike

AudioFilet wrote: »

I don't see what the beef is here. I have a 7.1 system in the front room, 5.1 system in the bedroom. Every room in the house has at least one 2 channel setup, one room has 3 sometimes. Tubes, integrateds, separates, receivers, DAC's, you name it. The garage even has a stereo in it.

This enables me to take the "CD of the day" in one hand, margarita in the other and stagger from one room to the next until I find the sound I like for the situation, and park it there and enjoy.

So, how do ya like me now??

i'd find my favorite system to be closest to the bar:cool: i'm all for 2ch btw:)
maybe i'm missing something but, the sda's sound great w movies;)

George Grand

I like 2-channel best cause it's right here in Jersey and very easy for me to access.


"I gave it an 85 cause it had a good beat and you could dance to it."

madmax

Nothing wrong with HT but I prefer a simple 2CH setup. Oh, and two channel with SDA sound is the ultimate form of 2CH w/video. I find multiple channels somewhat annoying.
madmax

pearsall001

If you're going to do it...do it right. Running a HT setup with only 2 speakers is akin to running 5 speakers & calling it 2 channel. It ain't happening in my house.

steveinaz

"2-channel is right as rain"...Doc Holliday

"Surrounds? We don't have to show you no surrounds; we ain't got no stinking surrounds."...some mexican dude in a movie I can't remember the title of

"2-channel, the ultimate listening machine"...BMW

"I'll go surround as soon as I grow 3 more ears"...steveinaz

"Tumah...that's not a tumah, that's a center channel, now get it out of here!"...Arnold Shwarzenegger

"Hokey religions, and ancient home theaters are no match for a good 2-channel at your side kid"...Han Solo

"Thats right, you tell'em I comin'. I'm comin', and 2-channels' comin' with me!"...Wyatt Earp

"At least eighty brazilian people listen to 2-channel audio"...President George W. Bush

"Steve, you suck. Your piddly 2-channel system sucks. Go HT, then we might like you more"...Polk forum HT owners

tonyb

There is no doubt that 5.1 or 7.1 for HT is better than 2 channel to watch movies.
You can still enjoy a movie in 2 channel though.I prefer 7 speakers and a couple subs blasting out the lfe,but to get better music,something had to give,as I listen to more music than watch movies anyway.

mantis

Here's my honest opnion on all this....

Over the years I tried to build my home theater with music first intentions. While I have had some really great sounding systems I always heard deadicated home theater systems to outperform my music first systems even at a lower end system. That always pisses me off.
Then SACD and DVD AUDIO came out and I was in heaven for a day or 2. Both formats are all but gone which sucks, hardly no music comes out on them anymore except maybe Telarc and some Sony stuff, and again I wonder about using a theater for music.

I have been installing both kinds of systems with single and multi duties. I find that 2 channel when in a 2 channel setup sounds better then HT running 2 channel. Same goes the other way. When you place all speakers correctly for theater use and not any 2 channel use, it's magic. I perfer it. I have Installed my surroundback speakers on my front wall and set them as main speakers removing my completely loved Audience 82's. I don't miss them at all for movies. I actually perfer the system the way it is for watching movies. I have my Audience 42w's for rears and fronts running with a 122c center and it kicks ****. I have it all crossed oer at 60hz and running that with my Dynaudio Sub 500 sub. It's a music first sub so I set it up slighty hot(3db over 75 so 78db) and it really shines. I also had a 76 to 78 drop off and a 42hz spike due to placement. I kinda fixed that for the moment and put the sub where I didn't expect it to perform well.

Long story short I am now a full believer that you can do both with a system but it's much better deadicated to do one. Everyone has there reasons to do what they do and so did I. I'm considering building a 2 channel system with my Audience 82's and leaving them completly out of the theater duties.

Dan