5.1 vs 2.1 Theater

[3db]

FR does raise some very good points but I want to home in on building it up from a 2.1 system. But before I do, I'm getting the feeling that 5.1 just isn't as appealing to you as it is to most of the folks here. That's OK too and nothing wrong with that. Its your personal preference and we can't argue that. Persuade maybe but NOT argue.

A lot of people start that way buy purchasing two really good fronts and a sub and later build on it. That way they can add to it as the funds become available. Its a great way to get started but it requires patience as well. Based on a 2.1 system, I would get surrounds and lastly the center channel. Chances are, you've already constrained your seating position to work quite well with just the left/right speakers so the center channel (which allows one to widen the seating arangement) doesn't offer up much in terms of transforming the listening experience unlike the surrounds channels.

 

[Steve81]

But before I do, I'm getting the feeling that 5.1 just isn't as appealing to you as it is to most of the folks here. That's OK too and nothing wrong with that. Its your personal preference and we can't argue that. Persuade maybe but NOT argue.

Yeah, I've gotten that impression, although I'm not entirely shocked. It's generated some discussion on a topic that's of interest to me, so that's one mission accomplished.

Chances are, you've already constrained your seating position to work quite well with just the left/right speakers so the center channel (which allows one to widen the seating arangement) doesn't offer up much in terms of transforming the listening experience unlike the surrounds channels.

Heck, my line of thinking is that I'm the only one that gives a damn what the system sounds like by and large, and I've got my seat right in the sweet spot. Conversely, my in laws are in town and they'd be just as happy with TV speakers.

 

[avnetguy]

I personally would never do away with 5.1 for movies and gaming though I do listen to music normally in 2.0 or 2.1. While a 4.1 (phantom center) might be worth a try I believe removing the surround speakers really takes something away for most movies. I have watched some TV movies in stereo, as that was the way it was broadcast, so I'm aware of the difference. Realistically, running surround speakers doesn't add much cost to the system, they don't take much power and even "sub par" speakers, when compared to the mains, will generally do the trick.

Steve

 

[dpc]

I started with 2.0, got a center channel, then a sub. After a few upgrades I've got a 5.2 system right now and I wonder if the surrounds were really worth the money, but I'd be hard pressed to give up the center. I find it easier to understand dialog with the center and I like the ability to run the center louder than the fronts. I usually run the center 1-2 db hot, though I've actually gone up to 6db hot during a football game where the crowd was really loud and it was hard to hear or understand the commentary.

 

[josko]

I have a 5.1 setup, but find that I'm listening to 2 channel audio more and more in 2.0 mode. I keep dithering whether to add the sub in or not, but find that imaging is better with 2.0; I really don't get that much 'wow' factor by turning on the sub so I leave it out more and more. A pair of nice, adequately powered speakers goes a long way to imaging a complex, large musical performance.
For movies, I use 5.1 of course, but feel I could give up the surround speakers without much fuss. I feel 7.1 and greater are just marketing attempts to push that many more speakers into a saturated market.

 

[Jeff R.]

I would at least go with a 3 channel front stage so you are able to match your center to your left and right speakers. I currently run a 3.1 system for TV and Music and really like it, however I have a really large room and a wide sound stage to fill so I have to have the 3 channels up front. For me I just would want teh center for ultimate flexibility down the road.

I still strongly prefer the 5 channels for Movies. I really miss the rears on the movies....

 

[josko]

I would at least go with a 3 channel front stage so you are able to match your center to your left and right speakers. I currently run a 3.1 system for TV and Music and really like it, however I have a really large room and a wide sound stage to fill so I have to have the 3 channels up front. For me I just would want teh center for ultimate flexibility down the road.

I still strongly prefer the 5 channels for Movies. I really miss the rears on the movies....

I actually have a 5.1 system set up and find i just turn on the 2.0 system more and more when listening to vinyl and CD's. I think my system is decent:
Fronts: B&W 802D, each powered by bridged Levinson 334
Center: B&W HTM1D powered by Emotiva XPA5
Rears: B&W 803D powered by Emotiva XPA5
Sub: SVS PB12 plus (in the process of upgrading to SVS SB13)

I absolutely prefer to listen to vinyl and 2 channel CD's with the center channel turned off, and often turn off the sub, as well. I just use the UMC-1 in the direct mode for music. I think 802D's are wonderful imaging speakers and really work for me.

 

[Steve81]

I actually have a 5.1 system set up and find i just turn on the 2.0 system more and more when listening to vinyl and CD's.

Personally, the only time in recent memory I've ever utilized more than 2.1 for 2 channel music was for troubleshooting a problem with my system; however, I can understand that a center would be useful if your mains are spaced a bit too widely.

Regarding a subwoofer, my bedroom system, thanks in large part to the placement of the speakers and acoustics of the room, requires no subwoofer for the music I listen to. The acoustics in my basement space on the other hand make a well placed subwoofer a very worthwhile addition, in spite of the fact that my main speakers there sport dual 8" woofers and are rated down into the 30s range.

 

[j_garcia]

"Spaced too widely" has little to do with it. A center is a good thing, in particular for movies, but still works for multichannel music When listening to stereo, it just isn't used. My second system is 2.0 and despite being in a large room, I get enough room gain that it does well without a sub too.

 

[Steve81]

"Spaced too widely" has little to do with it. A center is a good thing, in particular for movies, but still works for multichannel music When listening to stereo, it just isn't used. My second system is 2.0 and despite being in a large room, I get enough room gain that it does well without a sub too.

I was only referring to using a center channel for listening to 2 channel material. A center channel is of course useful for multi-channel material, particularly if you're not in the sweet spot.

 

[Jeff R.]

To many variables.....

I was only referring to using a center channel for listening to 2 channel material. A center channel is of course useful for multi-channel material, particularly if you're not in the sweet spot.

At the end of the day.....so much is dependent on your particular room layout and dimensions that there is no real rule of thumb that can be applied. I know in my room when I run 2 channel for music it does fine but as I move from seat to seat I get different listening experiences. I have only 1 sweet spot for this. If I run 3 channel stereo or any of my other 3 channel modes it really helps balance the experience out across the different areas in the room.

 

[3db]

I actually have a 5.1 system set up and find i just turn on the 2.0 system more and more when listening to vinyl and CD's. I think my system is decent:
Fronts: B&W 802D, each powered by bridged Levinson 334
Center: B&W HTM1D powered by Emotiva XPA5
Rears: B&W 803D powered by Emotiva XPA5
Sub: SVS PB12 plus (in the process of upgrading to SVS SB13)

I absolutely prefer to listen to vinyl and 2 channel CD's with the center channel turned off, and often turn off the sub, as well. I just use the UMC-1 in the direct mode for music. I think 802D's are wonderful imaging speakers and really work for me.

Same here. Listening to vinyl or CD is strictly done in 2 channel with room correction taken off (pure direct mode). Movies, and wtaching TV, all 5 channels are firing with room correction engaged.