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Two-channel is inferior to multi-channel, no?

I think that 2 channel is inferior, though, of course, my ears and reason may be mistaken.

Feedback please!

The obvious reason, I am thinking, it is that two channels are less representative of infinity (live music) than 3, 5 or 7, etc. This is the case even if the transducers, amps & speakers, and room acoustics, are perfect (dream on...) in the 2-channel mode.

In my own system, two Revel M-20s as center channel, vertically arrayed, with Revel M-50s on either side, there is the occasional CD (jazz is my thing) that sounds better in stereo, than with 5.1 processed sound, but this is rare. Most sound better with the center channel prominent (either in Dolby Standard or Music modes).

It's possible that I simply need better equipment.

But then why do I find that the best sound (in my system) is from digital sources, e.g. DVD, Blu-Ray, SACD, whether the sound reproduces music or movies. Would better equipment neutralize (and even flip) this negative comparison of stereo to multi-channel reproduction? If so, what is the explanation?

What I find in particular (for music and movies) that is that digital sources in multi-channel mode give full breath and focus to the center channel, placing this important sound component exactly where it should be: precisely in the center of the room. And giving the other channels 'room' to shine (though, in my system, given the amplification available, this should not problem).

What am I missing in theory?
pmcneil
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
I haven't read all comments, but the 'antis' I have surprize me. Apparently they haven't heard good MC sound. I have a great-sounding MC system that's based on a great-sounding 2-channel system--NOT the one listed in this site. Adding some subtle ambient information extracted from the 2-channel signal merely makes the sound more realistic, more spacious. I keep centerchannel levels quite low in MC with both discrete and recreated signals. Just as in 2-channel, one key to great sound is an intelligent listener who has adjusted his/her system correctly.

Two-channel music sounds small to me; MC doesn't.
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vicdamone
850 posts
 
Live music is a monaural+venue experience.

Proper analog two channel playback can come uncannily close to some multi channel SACD recordings. Attaining this level is not a matter of expensive equipment but rather proper setup and tuning. The sonic superiority of many LP's, for one reason or another, simply didn't come across when mastered for CD. The refinement and availability of high resolution 24/192 downloads and or music BluRay (if that ever happens) will defiantly narrow the gap between two channel LP and multi channel digital.

Some are satisfied with the two channel quality they get with a multi channel setup. Putting another speaker between my stereo pair has a drastic effect on two channel sound staging in my system. The cost of five or seven matching high quality speakers and amplification is out of my range and lesser equipment is a definite downgrade which would make multi channel inferior to me. With enough money and the right space I guess one could reach that goal and claim equality between the two, if you can get past the center speaker being in the way.

I do own a separate 7.1 HT BluRay system and while SACD's and multi channel media sound good they simply lack the sonic finesse that my two channel system provides. The two channel system lacks the ability to play a multi channel recordings. Frankly, I like both for their differences.

kr4's avatar
kr4
3,424 posts
 
Listening is never monaural unless you put a finger in one ear. You always listen with both ears even to a single sound source. What you might be talking about is monophonic (meaning one source) + ambiance but, even then, that applies to a tiny proportion of real events.
vicdamone
850 posts
 
Yeah! That's it. Thanks
mds's avatar
mds
119 posts
 
I just find that multi channel sound provides a flat sound stage with very little depth compaired to two channel system. At least that is what I hear in my system.
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