5 or 7 channel STEREO?

mdaudioguy
mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
edited March 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
m-w defines stereophonic as "of, relating to, or constituting sound reproduction involving the use of separated microphones and two transmission channels to achieve the sound separation of a live hearing"

So, HOW and WHY do most AVRs offer 5 and/or 7 channel stereo? I know AVRs are anathema to you true 2-channel guys, but what in the world are they sending to the center channel?:confused: I mean, I could understand 4 or 6-channel channels, but the odd numbers just confuse me... seems like an oxymoron. (I know, maybe I'm the moron...;))

Btw, I often enjoy multi-channel audio (DVD-A), and even Dolby PLIIx for 2-channel sources (I know that's blasphemy in here...)
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited March 2009
    5 or 7 channel "stereo" on a receiver just duplicates the same sound onto each speaker. I suppose it could be useful in instances where you just want background music to all areas of a large room.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,421
    edited March 2009
    tcrossma wrote: »
    5 or 7 channel "stereo" on a receiver just duplicates the same sound onto each speaker. I suppose it could be useful in instances where you just want background music to all areas of a large room.

    agreed, but there are audio recordings out there that take advantage of the 5 channel format. I would love to hear one if somebody knows of a good one I should get...:cool:
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2009
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    m
    So, HOW and WHY do most AVRs offer 5 and/or 7 channel stereo?
    For those who don't know any better. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited March 2009
    tcrossma wrote: »
    5 or 7 channel "stereo" on a receiver just duplicates the same sound onto each speaker. I suppose it could be useful in instances where you just want background music to all areas of a large room.

    Yeah, that's about all I can stand to use it for. It provides good sound when mingling in any area of the room. I guess that's what it's for.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited March 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    agreed, but there are audio recordings out there that take advantage of the 5 channel format. I would love to hear one if somebody knows of a good one I should get...:cool:

    Multi-channel audio formats (DVD-A, SACD) are different from the 5 or 7 channel "stereo" options. I have some 5.1 recordings and the surround experience is very immersive - far superior to turning on 7-channel stereo mode with a 2-channel source.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited March 2009
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    It justifys getting LSi15's for the surrounds.

    Just what I need... justification for another upgrade.;)
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  • bevo
    bevo Posts: 306
    edited March 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    agreed, but there are audio recordings out there that take advantage of the 5 channel format. I would love to hear one if somebody knows of a good one I should get...:cool:

    The dave mathewes tim reynolds blue ray, is in dolby true hd 5.1. It's a great recording. Mostly the surrounds are just used for applause though. Some acoustical sounds are present, but very light to give it an auditorium feel.
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited March 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    agreed, but there are audio recordings out there that take advantage of the 5 channel format. I would love to hear one if somebody knows of a good one I should get...:cool:

    There are formats that take advantage of 5.1, sure, but that's not what the OP is talking about. 5 or 7 channel STEREO is a setting on most receivers that just copies the 2-channel stereo signal to the remaining speakers. All you are getting is the same sound out of additional speakers.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,572
    edited March 2009
    Face wrote: »
    For those who don't know any better. :D

    Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2009
    It's for people who think that, more speakers=better sound. I used to listen to all of my music in either ProLogic, or all ch. stereo. That was before I had any decent equipment though. I can't stand listening to music with more than 2 channels anymore. It really limits your ability to actually see the soundstage...you can't pinpoint where the separate instruments are. When you're at a concert, the musicians are typically in front of you right? That's where the sound comes from.

    2 ears+2 speakers=A lot better than multi ch.


    The only situation where I could see it being nice would be as background music in a party situation or something like that, just to help spread the music around the house more.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited March 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    It's for people who think that, more speakers=better sound. I used to listen to all of my music in either ProLogic, or all ch. stereo. That was before I had any decent equipment though. I can't stand listening to music with more than 2 channels anymore. It really limits your ability to actually see the soundstage...you can't pinpoint where the separate instruments are. When you're at a concert, the musicians are typically in front of you right? That's where the sound comes from.

    2 ears+2 speakers=A lot better than multi ch.


    The only situation where I could see it being nice would be as background music in a party situation or something like that, just to help spread the music around the house more.

    Dude, you can ACTUALLY SEE the soundstage?:confused:? Better back off on the 'shrooms.;)

    Just bustin' on ya Curt.:)
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited March 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner.

    Whoa... I think THAT might be the winner! I could ACTUALLY SEE the bell!:eek:;)
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2009
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Dude, you can ACTUALLY SEE the soundstage?:confused:? Better back off on the 'shrooms.;)

    Just bustin' on ya Curt.:)

    Sure...I don't even need the shrooms. All I've gotta do is lay my head back, close my eyes...and there it is.;)
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  • Mike21
    Mike21 Posts: 252
    edited March 2009
    I use "all channel stereo" when watching TV game shows, news and Oprah:D

    It puts my center channel speaker into play which is optimized for dialog.

    BTW, next time you catch an old TV movie made before stereo, try listening in mono for that authentic nostalgia sound.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited March 2009
    Mike21 wrote: »
    I use "all channel stereo" when watching TV game shows, news and Oprah:D

    It puts my center channel speaker into play which is optimized for dialog.

    BTW, next time you catch an old TV movie made before stereo, try listening in mono for that authentic nostalgia sound.

    But anchoring the dialogue to the center channel is exactly what this mode doesn't do... the dialogue and everything else gets sent to all channels. It's like Oprah all around you!
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited March 2009
    While working at my computer I do enjoy music in the PLII Music mode. It only uses the mains & sends a nice blend to the rears, no center. It really does a nice job of expanded soundstage while still being true to the source. I've played around with the other settings but I prefer the PLII Music the best while working. For serious listening all bets are off though for PLII or any other setting.

    They all have their place & just have some fun with them. Nothing wrong with any of the settings as long as they fit the bill.
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited March 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner.

    Agreed. I can't stand anything but 2....for movies yes, but music:confused:
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited March 2009
    tcrossma wrote: »
    There are formats that take advantage of 5.1, sure, but that's not what the OP is talking about. 5 or 7 channel STEREO is a setting on most receivers that just copies the 2-channel stereo signal to the remaining speakers. All you are getting is the same sound out of additional speakers.

    On my particular receiver, a pioneer elite, the 7 channel stereo actually sounds like ambient room reflections on the rear channels and the real stereo center from the center channel. Really not that bad for poor source material, even am/fm reception. On normal stereo material it sounds cool for 30 seconds then starts to get annoying. ;)
    madmax
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited March 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    Sure...I don't even need the shrooms. All I've gotta do is lay my head back, close my eyes...and there it is.;)
    Exactly what I was thinking! The power of imagination ;)
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