Is HT multichannel audio slightly annoying?

obieone

I fell in love with multi-channel while playing 'Ghost Recon' on a pc surround rig 5 years ago. There's just something about a SAW gunner lighting off over your left shoulder:D
Unfortunately, since I've gotten my HT set up, I've only found 2 recordings that sound BETTER in multi ch.- DSOTM, and Roger Waters, 'Live in the Flesh'
For some reason, when I try to listen to them in 2 ch. they sound congested.

amulford

Keiko wrote: »

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

Maybe, if I didn't have to ship them halfway across the Pacific. J/K:D I don't see these going anywhere fast. Be patient, they will come. Look for some CRS+'s.

obieone wrote: »

I fell in love with multi-channel while playing 'Ghost Recon' on a pc surround rig 5 years ago. There's just something about a SAW gunner lighting off over your left shoulder:D

Yeah. I have a 5.1 rig set up for the kid's games. WAY cool...:cool: I was thinking about one for my computer, too...

heiney9

For me HT is great for movies and I do "get by" using my 2 channel system with SDA's for watching movies.

Multi-channel, IMO, is in no way ideal for music listening except in some very rare cases where the engineer has made the correct mix. I might be jaded because of the SDA's but I don't need 3.1 more channels for music........in fact I'd turn it down if it was given to me.

My buddy has a 5.1 HT system and we listen to music on it all the time and it's less than ideal.

H9

RutgersFTW

Thanks for a great, long post.

mmadden28 wrote: »

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'

I couldn't localize the effects in most movies unless I left my listening position. At the same time, I never get a feeling of immersion as much as hearing the occasional pronounced sfx over my left shoulder and thinking "oh, that's cool, becase it happened behind the actors and I heard it behind me. sweet" instead of "OMFG SHE'S GONNA GET STABBED IN THE FACE AHHHH!"

I'm not an expert audio engineer, just a listener with my own bias. I trust the intelligence of the collective when it comes to identifying cool things. Hence, we don't see many 2CH integrated amps at BB but a whole lot of junkie HTIBs.

For me, however, I prefer the 180-degree sweeps of a 2CH setup.

mmadden28 wrote: »

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 ).

In a good live mix most crowd noise and ambience is positioned at the extremes of the sound stage so they sound like they're next to you, which might not be as cool as behind, but at the same time I didn't buy the live album to hear the crowd.

mmadden28 wrote: »

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.

Same here. At my current budget I enjoy a beefy power amp and floorstanders washing over me with sound. When I'm old, fatter, and wealthier I might want to grab a beefy multichannel amp and go nuts.

mmadden28 wrote: »

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

My car (Scion xB) is a super-**** place for music listening as there's so much frequency robbing road noise. I've considered adding amps and upgraded speakers, but then I'd just be listening to my music louder and doing more damage to my ears. Then I can't enjoy my home system as much.

mmadden28 wrote: »

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.

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

I didn't know this existed! One of my favorite albums, and I do look forward to hearing it on a good multi-channel setup. Is the commercial release an SACD? Crap, I've got to dig through my books now!

mmadden28 wrote: »

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:

Some of the Stereophile test discs are also lots of fun. They discuss where mics were placed and what effects they were going for, and it teaches my ears what to listen for and enjoy. :cool:

madmax

RutgersFTW wrote: »

My car (Scion xB) is a super-**** place for music listening as there's so much frequency robbing road noise. I've considered adding amps and upgraded speakers, but then I'd just be listening to my music louder and doing more damage to my ears. Then I can't enjoy my home system as much.

They are more noisey inside than most cars. Hope you don't mind the derail but I found something very interesting with the xB layout for sound. Do not use speakers in the dash. No matter what you try there is a first reflection off the glass and post which amplifies certain midrange sounds dramatically. If you eliminate this anomaly by placing speakers elsewhere everything is much more inteligeable and far less annoying. When you think its loud its not, its just this narrow band of frequencies that is loud. Just thought I would share as it took me a lot of work to figure it out.
madmax

ben62670

Thanks Max. My A/D/S 325is's are going in my car soon. They will reside in the doors down low, and I am going to give a try at making a pod for them. I feel confident;)
Ben

madmax

I've done quite a few cars and the xB was the only one that was this significant with the problem. Just a fyi. Back to business on the multichannel.

Had there been an actual emergency I would have instructed you where to tune for further information.
madmax

mmadden28

ben62670 wrote: »

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

Never heard them myself-but if they are so good, why doesn't polkaudio make more? (other than the surroundbar of course).

mmadden28

RutgersFTW wrote: »

Thanks for a great, long post.

I tend to do that

RutgersFTW wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

I didn't know this existed! One of my favorite albums, and I do look forward to hearing it on a good multi-channel setup. Is the commercial release an SACD? Crap, I've got to dig through my books now!

http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/588
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00007KMP1/?tag=sacdinfocom-20
Of course not available anywhere and the used market has it marked up high.

Apparently also out there as DVD-A
If you find a cache of 'em let me know :cool:

heiney9

mmadden28 wrote: »

Never heard them myself-but if they are so good, why doesn't polkaudio make more? (other than the surroundbar of course).

Read all about it

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45468

H9

ben62670

mmadden28 wrote: »

Never heard them myself-but if they are so good, why doesn't polkaudio make more? (other than the surroundbar of course).

Sad story, but the bottom line is HT rules the general market, and people in generally don't want big speakers that need amps, and proper setup.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45468

mmadden28

Thanks Ben and H9, just perused the thread.

ben62670

You can always make them
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53273
Do you have a fork truck?

mmadden28

:eek: Holy beJesus! :eek:

shack

This is my preference:

Music = 2.1 (or 2.0 with the right speakers)
Movies = 5.1 (or 7.1 if you have the capabilty)

jakelm

shack wrote: »

This is my preference:

Music = 2.1 (or 2.0 with the right speakers)
Movies = 5.1 (or 7.1 if you have the capabilty)

+1

I think it all comes down to buget. Affording both is tough now-adays. $2k on 2 speakers, compared to 5.1 system that you can also listen to music on, is a no-brainer for some people.

Intergration is the tricky part. I went with building my 7.1 system around my 7b's. Very pleased for the most part, but to have the 7's just as a stand alone, would be impossible for me. Having to buy a seperate 2 channel system to drive the 7's is just way out of my price range.

My point is this. To accomplish the dynamics and soundstage needed to compete with a "surround sound" system, is just too expensive for most of us. So instead of spending $2k on one pair of speakers, most of us take that money and spread is over 6 speakers, (or in my case, build my own) and hope for the best.

I just cant fathem the idea of having a TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack and listening to it in 2.0 stereo.

More and more people, dont turn the lights down low and listen to ta good LP anymore. They turn the lights down low and put on a good HD or BR movie.

suprafantx

It depends on how good the music mix and where you at. Most of the time I listen to music DVDs so 7.1 are always better. Music DVDs are like movies, you will enjoy diffrent sound from different angle. The 7.1 is much better if you sit at the calibrated location for system. In case you need to move around and stay off the calibrated location 2.1 or mono are better choice.

mantis

jakelm wrote: »

+1

I think it all comes down to buget. Affording both is tough now-adays. $2k on 2 speakers, compared to 5.1 system that you can also listen to music on, is a no-brainer for some people.

Intergration is the tricky part. I went with building my 7.1 system around my 7b's. Very pleased for the most part, but to have the 7's just as a stand alone, would be impossible for me. Having to buy a seperate 2 channel system to drive the 7's is just way out of my price range.

My point is this. To accomplish the dynamics and soundstage needed to compete with a "surround sound" system, is just too expensive for most of us. So instead of spending $2k on one pair of speakers, most of us take that money and spread is over 6 speakers, (or in my case, build my own) and hope for the best.

I just cant fathem the idea of having a TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack and listening to it in 2.0 stereo.

More and more people, dont turn the lights down low and listen to ta good LP anymore. They turn the lights down low and put on a good HD or BR movie.

I agree with this and will add alittle of my own.

I perfer to hear whatever it is the way it was recorded. I don't care to put my own spin on things. Music is not just meant to be played in 2 channel. Most is recorded that way so I perfer to listen to it that way, but multichannel music can be as noted above, if setup properly can be a enjoyable experience. Same goes with movies. I perfer to have the ability to hear it again the way it was created/recorded.

I think anyone can do whatever they want. I deal with this on a day to day basis and get chellenged on these topic's all the time. I tell my customers the right way and they can do what ever they want to do.

Today I didn't do a job due to the fact a customer wanted to hang a 60 pioneer Elite Kuro plasma over a fireplace. The tv would have been 96 inches high and they where only 13 feet away. I explained that this was not a Ideal position for there tv and if it was hung lower or on another wall, they would enjoy it alot more. Not to mention a full surround system was going with it as well. They are rethinking where to put the tv in the room and probably are going with another wall not the fireplace wall.