5.1 HT vs 2.0 Stereo - Can't 5.1 HT Switch to Stereo mode?

[CasuallyStalking]

I'm looking at buying a 5.1 home theatre ($1000) system 80%-20% music to movies. I notice many people online recommend a 2.0 stereo amp for music for quality.

My question is, can't I simply switch a 5.1 system to stereo mode so it just plays 2.1 FL FR and Sub? Is this somehow lower quality than a dedicated 2.0 stereo amp?

I want the 5.1 mainly for the sub because half the music I listen to is reggae and atmospheric house so need some oomph that regular speakers don't give down low.

Thanks for any help in advance!

 

[markw]

My question is, can't I simply switch a 5.1 system to stereo mode so it just plays 2.1 FL FR and Sub?

I see no reason you can't. Many of us, myself included, prefer to listen to the source in the format in which it was recorded. Granted, there is really no subwoofer track in a stereo recording but some of us find this "enhancement" doesn't detract from the recording engineers original intent.

Conversely, HT systems offer a means in which it can "stretch" a two channel source and spread it over all available channels. It kerfutzes with the signal and sends "something" to each speaker. Some people love this. Some abhor it. I fall among the latter.

Is this somehow lower quality than a dedicated 2.0 stereo amp?

No. A quality system is a quality system. Granted, with a limited budget, you can get more bang for your buck with two speakers as opposed to five, but all else being equal, good stuff is good stuff.

My recommendation? Since you seem to care about music (and that's a good ting, IMNS?HO) when selecting speakers, bring a two channel CD (or whatever) and listen to just those two speakers without a subwoofer. That way, you can hear exactly what you're buying. An action movie with a lot of boom, bang, and gunshots coming from all around can sound "impressive" on almost any multi-channel system but to sound good on music using only two channels can be quite challenging. A subwoofer will only extend the system's response downward and may affect your judgment when making a decision.

IF a system sounds good for two channel music, you can bet yer bippy it'll do fine with HT. The opposite isn't always true.

Happy hunting.

 

[CasuallyStalking]

Thanks for the great advice Audioholic Warlord. Just what I was looking for!

 

[3db]

+1 on Mark's advice. My main system in the basement does 50/50 for music and 2 channel listening and it sounds great to me and all of my friend

 

[zieglj01]

Many of us enjoy 2.1 or 2.0 music - and a nice 5.1 or 7.1 receiver can
handle that format.

 

[herbu]

Ditto. I constantly swap my receiver from 7.2 surround for TV/movies to 2.0 for music. Some AVRs make the swap easier than others. I have a Denon X4000. I programmed it to automatically go to 7.2 when I select Cable/SAT as the source, 2.0 stereo when I select Network for Pandora, and when I select Blu-ray or CD as the input, the AVR defaults to whatever the native scheme is on the disc. Easy Peasy.

 

[JohnnieB]

I still only have 2.1 due to funds availability to complete my 5.2 setup. I enjoy movies just fine. A good set of mains will sound better for movies than a cheap 5 channel HTIB. Granted, I don't get the full surround effect. What I do get is quality sound and that's the real goal.
I mention this given your current budget and 80% music preference. There are plenty of threads on the subject at your current budget. Consider a 2.1 setup now and build onto it as funds become available. Your ears will thank you.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

I have two 5.1 AVR's that I have always used in stereo (2.1). Most of the time, I do not use the subwoofer in either system. Both of those systems sound great to me. I do not care for surround sound. As said above, quality is quality. Peace and goodwill.