Why is 2 Channel better than multi-channel?

The quality of imaging available in multichannel systems using height information (for example David Chesky's 6.0 audio layout) substantially surpasses what even the best of 2 or 3 channel stereo can do. Bomarc is right in stating that 5.1 is theater-driver and is not optimized for audio.
It will be some time before the recording community and audio industry at large learn how to record, produce and market multichannel audio in a practical way. This is a large subject and cannot be covered here.
However, as multichannel evolves, it's to be hoped that audiophiles will be the first to recognize the potential, since we care more about sound quality than does any other group.

Good thread. Glad to see some diverse opinions with valid points being made on both sides of the fence.

As to the stance that i ( and probably others ) took, let's just say that we have been pretty dis-illusioned with what the industry has had to offer. After all, they've handed us line after line after line of bogus advertising and propaganda regarding every "high tech" advancement that they've come up with. If this multi-channel does take off, will we have to buy a pro logic decoder ? Then what about an AC-3 decoder when that format arrives? Then what happens when DTS comes out ? I think that you get the point.

On top of that, it has "only" taken 15 - 20 years to get "redbook" cd's to sound good. While a lot of the digital knowledge that they've learned along the way can be applied to multi-channel sound, the question is will they ??? If so, to what extent and when ???

I hate to sound like a dinosaur clinging to existence as i know it, but i don't think that ANYONE wants to go through dozens of "upgrades" and "new investments" every time that they come out with a new format. Even if multi-channel SACD or DVD-A do take off, what is to say that these formats will last a reasonable amount of time ? Personally, i would put my money on DVD-A becoming a commercial success over SACD due to the multi-channel sound and video potential. I think that this is becoming more evident as commercial artists start to embrace it. While SACD may sound better ( when done properly ), quality has little to do with what the public likes or thinks is convenient.

As it is now, neither is good enough or has enough software available to make me think twice about becoming a hardcore advocate. Doing such would cause me to have to replenish my "software" collection with yet another format AND make me rethink / re-invest a large amount of time / money into making my systems "multi-channel" compatible. As such, i'm sure that i'm not alone in these thoughts or feelings.

Then again, the "commoner" with a small investment in their entertainment system might not think twice about buying the latest & greatest "full featured" multi-channel rack system from Best Buy / Circuit City for $499. To some extent, this type of division ( quality vs quantity ) pits the "audiophile" against the "average consumer". As such, we will probably end up becoming an even smaller "niche market" as things progress. After all, to the average person, "more" IS "better". Sean
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the recording industry is in turmoil just now. i'm sure many of you had stories in your local papers yesterday or this morning about the dismal state of affairs facing those for whom the grammy's are the equivalent of life's blood. worse, there's been nothing close to consensus regarding the successor to the "redbook" cd format. worst, the internet keeps coming up with new models for the dispersion of music that provides little or no profit for those who pay to produce and record it. on top of this, we now see a seemingly endless array of multi-channel versions of unproven and much-less-than-universally-accepted software (and associated hardware). amongst all this angst and absence of a weltanschauung regarding how the standard for recorded music might eventually evolve, the two-channel red-book cd and stereo lp have survived for decades. likewise, the systems and components of those systems that have been designed to reproduce two-channel sources have continued along a steady branch, leaving cut off from evolutionary advancement species including 8-track and digital cassettes like so many australopetihiceans. put simply, two-channel audio is where we've been, mostly comfortable, for enough time to develop an economic model whose rewards to its many participants are proven. nothing yet has replaced that model. so, if you feel comfortable being a beta tester for billionaires and those who aspire to such level of "success," go for the multitudinous multi-channel and multi-sensory formats. but as for me: i'll stick with the good ol' rock & roll on nothing more than two-channel sources. -cfb

When I listen to 2 channel audio, what I listen for is
realism ... Does a flugel horn sound like a flugelhorn,
a piano like a piano, etc, to my ears in a performing
environment. I have not heard a multi-channel audio
system which does anything to improve upon the basic
musical timbre of instruments. So what can multichannel
audio bring to the table for music listening? If the answer is a larger and more stable sound stage for more listeners without so much tweeking, without muddying
instrumental timbres then multichannel audio is for me.
If the cost of multichannel audio is loss of instrumental
realism in exchange for better imaging, or in exchange for
better reproduction of the performing environment - then
multichannel is not for me.

When I listen, I would like to be able to hear the
performance. If you can't hear the tight bass on a
Steinway grand, you have missed the majic of artist mated
with instrument. An artist doesn't just play an instrument
he/she responds to it. I want to hear the synergy.

I agree with most of the above reasons why "2 channel is better than multi-channel". I have a more basic reason as to why I (will always) prefer 2 channel: I like music as it is performed. Maybe I don't understand 5.1, but how many of us ever get to sit in the middle of the orchestra during a performance? Most concerts I've been to happen in front of the listener. If reality is the goal, 5.1 has nothing to add to 2 channel (except maybe a random cough generator?)