Is HT multichannel audio slightly annoying?

RutgersFTW

I mean, even when something leaves the screen and the sound shifts to the back, you're not watching anything behind you. It's really kind of distracting to the overall movie viewing experience. I wish I'd put my money into a killer 2CH rig instead of an affordable HT setup. *sigh*

All I care about is dialog intelligibility, and even my bookshelves can provide that. I've been watching all my movies in 2CH mode and enjoy the soundstaging and imaging much more. It seems like adding more speakers just adds more ways to screw up a good system.

It does sound good, and everything's placed as well as can be, but still - 2CH > HT any day.

McLoki

Grow 3 more ears and step up to the big time.....

I actally really enjoy multi channel as it no longer feels like I am watching a movie but instead feels like I am on the set and experiencing everything that is happening on screen (and off).

On your next trip through the midwest, stop by for a listen and let me know what you think.

Michael

Face

Try some timbre matched surrounds.

F1nut

I've always felt that any movie worth watching stands on the content of the video and not the soundtrack. These days there is too much emphasis placed on the surround sound aspect in an effort to disguise the fact that the movie sucks.

phuz

Face wrote: »

Try some timbre matched surrounds.

And SPL levels matched with an SPL meter.

McLoki

One other thing worth mentioning:

The key to getting surrounds to sound right is level set them with the mains. Most of the sound you hear should come from between the front and surround speaker, not from the surround speaker itself.

Many people seem to crank up the volume on the surrounds so all the surround effects are to loud and seem to come only from the surround speaker. It really destroys the entire effect (or at least benefit) of surround sound.

Face

One more thing I'd like to add.

I've always hated multi-channel for audio and probably always will. Two channel is where it's at for music.

For movies, there's nothing better than a well set up home theater.

It's possible to have the best of both worlds, but you'll have to assemble everything around a great two channel rig.

cfrizz

No HT multichannel audio sounds just great to me, thanks!

RutgersFTW

McLoki wrote: »

Grow 3 more ears and step up to the big time.....

I actally really enjoy multi channel as it no longer feels like I am watching a movie but instead feels like I am on the set and experiencing everything that is happening on screen (and off).

On your next trip through the midwest, stop by for a listen and let me know what you think.

Michael

Extra ears - the ultimate upgrade.

Your gear does look pretty sweet, and worth the trip someday.

RutgersFTW

McLoki wrote: »

One other thing worth mentioning:

The key to getting surrounds to sound right is level set them with the mains. Most of the sound you hear should come from between the front and surround speaker, not from the surround speaker itself.

Many people seem to crank up the volume on the surrounds so all the surround effects are to loud and seem to come only from the surround speaker. It really destroys the entire effect (or at least benefit) of surround sound.

I set the delays and crossovers manually by measurement, couch is three feet off the back wall, and it was all set up pretty well. Still, the blend wasn't perfect.

Then I tried the EZ Set EQ calibration from Harman, and things might have improved a bit, but it's hard to say.

I've messed with speaker placement, furniture placement, cabling, hook-up methods... still can't get it to click just right.

Then I turn off surround and the sub and let the RTi6 sing, and the magic happens. A whole bunch of speakers are probably better than 2, but there's nothing as cool as putting your ear against the other speakers to make sure they're not outputting sound.

And :up: to F1Nut.

RutgersFTW

Face wrote: »

One more thing I'd like to add.

I've always hated multi-channel for audio and probably always will. Two channel is where it's at for music.

For movies, there's nothing better than a well set up home theater.

It's possible to have the best of both worlds, but you'll have to assemble everything around a great two channel rig.

I'm tending to agree with the bolded statements. The italicized part of the second is crucial, too; it's a hell of a lot easier to get two speakers equidistant, off the back wall, and keyed into a listening position, then 5 plus a sub you've got to basscrawl around for.

If I ever get a dedicated listening room I'll dive in headfirst to the multichannel pool, but in my mixed-use listening room/office/family room my 2 channel results are much more convincingly satisfying.

FWIW I'm pretty happy with my AVR and hope to use it as a pre for a while. I like using it for video switching, the iPod integration is sweet, and the tuner works well. This is the refrain I keep running through when I wonder if I should've just bought a NADC325BEE from the get-go.

EDIT - I italicized "well set up" forgetting quotes defaulted to italics. Oopsie.

reeltrouble1

try getting a 2-channel pre with an HT by-pass, this is a real world solution to the compromise of a dual use rig. they are available in both tube and ss models so you can pick what you like.

Enjoy.

RT1

ben62670

Face wrote: »

One more thing I'd like to add.

I've always hated multi-channel for audio and probably always will. Two channel is where it's at for music.

For movies, there's nothing better than a well set up home theater.

It's possible to have the best of both worlds, but you'll have to assemble everything around a great two channel rig.

Well he nailed it quit well. I don't hate all 5.1 music. You gotta hear Pink Flyods DSOTM in 5.1.
Ben

madmax

I'm not opposed to multi-channel sound but really enjoy listening through a two channel setup, especially if there are live music scenes. To me there is much less "in your face" sound coming from my 2 channel setup. The bump from the bass and the screeching steel against steel sounds are much less pronounced and to me sound more enjoyable. Less impact is the price.
madmax

heiney9

Ever notice how a certain familiar song in a movie soundtrack sounds completely different than it does on a redbook cd? Using SDA's for HT generally has some very satisfying results (that is a pair of SDA's).

H9

danger boy

i think your receiver can downmix the 5.1 into 2 ch if that helps any.. you might like that better.

for me.. i love having the ht and all 5.1 speakers doing their thing.

TNRabbit

Try listening to the multi-channel SACD of Dianna Krall's "Temptation" in 8-channel mode; it'll knock yer sox off!

steveinaz

2 channel foreveah, you multi-channel HERETICS!...LOL

Ricardo

Keiko wrote: »

2 channel for music. 5.1 for movies.

+10,000

Two different animals.

Ron Temple

I like both MCH hi rez and standard 2 channel. If the recording is offered in multichannel, I'll buy it and listen both ways. Sometimes the mix is astounding, others not so much. I'm not distracted at all hearing harmonies, percussion, synth ambience, whatever, in surround if it's done well. It's a trick . If you go with it you'll appreciate it. If you keep telling yourself, this is the way it's supposed to be, you'll be distracted and not enjoy it.

Ben mentioned DSOTM. It's a great MCH SACD, but check out Porcupine Tree's DVD As, Stupid Dream, Lightbulb Sun, In Absentia, Deadwing or Fear of a Blank Planet. Wonderfully recorded in both LPCM 5.1, 2.0 and 5.1 DTS. IA and DW won awards for their 5.1 mixes. The band is comparable to PF, but crosses so many genres they are unique.

cfrizz

BINGO!!!!

It's just like A/A movies. If you go into it looking to be entertained rather than REALISM, you most likely will be entertained.

Harrison Ford is 65 years old & was not the one doing any of his stunts. But guess what, I still enjoyed the movie a lot & had a good time. The story was decent and it had a good pace. I'll be getting it when it comes out.

Ron Temple wrote: »

I like both MCH hi rez and standard 2 channel. If the recording is offered in multichannel, I'll buy it and listen both ways. Sometimes the mix is astounding, others not so much. I'm not distracted at all hearing harmonies, percussion, synth ambience, whatever, in surround if it's done well. It's a trick . If you go with it you'll appreciate it. If you keep telling yourself, this is the way it's supposed to be, you'll be distracted and not enjoy it.

jakelm

heiney9 wrote: »

Ever notice how a certain familiar song in a movie soundtrack sounds completely different than it does on a redbook cd?
H9

Yep, much better.

Face

steveinaz wrote: »

2 channel foreveah, your multi-channel HERETICS!...LOL

Ha!!!

Why bother with multi-channel when two speakers are enough to create a wall of sound in front of you? Since when do you go to a show and have music played in front of and behind you? At the shows I've been to, the only thing behind me are a bunch of screaming morons.

jakelm

Face wrote: »

Ha!!!

Why bother with multi-channel when two speakers are enough to create a wall of sound in front of you? Since when do you go to a show and have music played in front of and behind you? At the shows I've been to, the only thing behind me are a bunch of screaming morons.

I like to sit in the middle of the band.










..and sing

steveinaz

don't mind me, I'm just being a dick head.

Ron Temple

Face wrote: »

Ha!!!

Why bother with multi-channel when two speakers are enough to create a wall of sound in front of you? Since when do you go to a show and have music played in front of and behind you? At the shows I've been to, the only thing behind me are a bunch of screaming morons.

I cut my teeth on the great quad setups from the 70s with Pink Floyd, ELP, The Who, Yes and Genesis to name a few. I was always in awe. Then Star Wars came out and I was hooked on surround for movies. There's still a ton of bands that do "wall of sound", but rather than in your face, I can dig a full body massage now and then :eek:.

mmadden28

I only find it annoying when its not mixed right or the HT is not setup right.
Come on, you have to admit that HT in surround can be awesome-I for one don't want to watch the movie as if I am watching a stage production. If I wanted that I would set it to 2 Channel or go and see a musical or a play.
One great example of good HT surround is in the beginning scene in Master and Commander when the ship is rocking in the water and creaking-you feel like you're in the boat. I don't know about you but creaking sounds in a boat don't just come from one direction. Or then when the crew is preparing for battle, and the crew is running around on the upper decks-it really sounds like somebody is stomping around upstairs and all around you. Yes of course the HT has to be setup just right for the effect to be there-you shouldn't be able to localize the surround effects, they should just blend and add to the experience. Of course I'm not doubting that some 2 channel setups can reproduce the same 'effect'

Besides-when was the last concert you went to that was completely unplugged? They (most) use amps and large arrays of speakers stategically placed, and those speakers are not just in front of you. Also-think about live performances-who wants to hear the audience from the front sound stage? If I am watching a live performance (recorded) I would like to feel like I am at that concert, that I can hear the reverb echoing behind me (if applicable) and hear the crowd all around me (as long as I don't have to hear some drunk or loud screamer from the rear left audience too often ).

With music-I find myself liking 2 channel sometimes, and sometimes I am liking Multi-So far it depends on the mix, the source, and what it sounds like. I haven't listened to enought yet to make a hard opinion-perhaps I never will and will just take each piece for what it is.

I know this-In my car--I don't just have the fronts or just the backs on-I need them all.

I haven't seen it mentioned yet, and I haven't gotten my copy yet, but I heard Beck's Sea Change in SACD Multi Channel to be incredible.

I also picked up a DVD-A (UPC 00704338100097) from AIX records called Mixtures I: A Classical Surround Sampler. I am sure there are more like this, but this was specifically recorded, mixed and mastered at 96kHz, 24bit 5.1. Fromt he liner notes, they used 12 stereo pairs of mics placed throughout the hall and near the musicians when recording it. On playback you can listen to the 5.1 mix, the Stereo mix, the "audience" mix or the "Stage" mix. Its pretty cool to have that variety on one disc and it gives you a chance to hear the different ways of hearing the same source. :cool:

amulford

I listen to music with 2 speakers. I watch movies with 9.

ben62670

TNRabbit wrote: »

Try listening to the multi-channel SACD of Dianna Krall's "Temptation" in 8-channel mode; it'll knock yer sox off!

Tried it.
SDA's+Diana+2channel very sweet indeed. Till you get your ears on a nice rig with SDA's you will continue to disagree. There are other speakers out there of coarse that sound sweet, but SDA's are a separate entity in the audio world.
Ben

amulford

SDA's are crap...

That's why I have 2 pair.;)

ben62670

Keiko wrote: »

Can I have 1 pair? I've never heard the SDA's.

You gotta find a local owner of some SDA's:)