Ever hear of 3.1?

[sloal]

I'll be buying a Sony 50" SXRD, and already own a Yamaha HTR-5760 receiver.

I'm not enought of an audiophile and do not want to go through the wiring needed for a 5.1 system and was thinking either about going stereo or maybe creating a 3.1, except that no one thinks 3.1 is anykind of an answer, and then someone said why not go 5.1 and just put the "rear" speakers in front, but to the far-far right and far-far left.

Does this make any sense or should I just go stereo or is anyone doing 3.1 or maybe just 3.0

thanks for your help.

a

 

[3x10^8]

Well, the simple answer to this is, do what you like... Whatever you feel most comfortable with (go with a single speaker facing away from you if you like). It's all really a matter of personal preference.

More specifically, to answer your question: most receivers can do 3.1 or 3.0 or 2.0, etc.etc.... If it was up to me, I'd go the full 5.1, as you've got a very nice television, a very nice receiver... So, why not finish the entire package off? Your receiver is a very capable 7.1 channel receiver with plenty of power. Why not utililze those capabilities? Otherwise, you should have simply saved yourself a few clams and gone with a simple stereo receiver.

So... basically, it's second and inches. Do you really want to punt the ball at this point, or go for the first down? Either way, you're still playing football. But you'll probably be much happy with one decision over the other.... Have fun!

 

[muncybob]

For me listening to movies in true surround is great, would not ever go back to anything less than 5.1!! As for music, sometimes I prefer the good old fashioned stereo mix...depends on the cd. It's all personal taste...just like anything else audio related! With that said I would try to accomplish the surround set up as you will always wonder what(if anything) you are missing out on.

 

[Tom Andry]

While I agree with the others that you shouldn't short change yourself by letting a few wires put you off a true surround sound experience, if you are going to limit the number of speakers, go 2.1 (front left, front right, and sub). 3.1 and anything that ends in .0 doesn't make sense to me. Taking the rear speakers and putting them up front is also a bad idea as it will only confuse the soundstage.

 

[Johnd]

I'll be buying a Sony 50" SXRD, and already own a Yamaha HTR-5760 receiver.

I'm not enought of an audiophile and do not want to go through the wiring needed for a 5.1 system and was thinking either about going stereo or maybe creating a 3.1, except that no one thinks 3.1 is anykind of an answer, and then someone said why not go 5.1 and just put the "rear" speakers in front, but to the far-far right and far-far left.

Does this make any sense or should I just go stereo or is anyone doing 3.1 or maybe just 3.0

thanks for your help.

a

sloal: Try this.

Set up the battle scene in Gladiator where the catapults are cocked, loaded and twinging behind you (with the rear channel in dts), are then viciously slung into movement with the shell screaming past your head (now at the side channel), and ends up tearing a hole in a defender, and then knocking down a tree, crackling and scraping (through the fronts, center and sub, which has been pounding the entire time).

Else, try one of the battle scenes in The Patriot, where you feel like ducking your head because a cannonball, that you just heard behind yourself, now flies past your head, and then rolls away from you.

There are countless other examples of extraordinary channel separation, in both dd and dts (my favorite), that you will never experience in 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 4.0, etc.

If, after you've experienced true surround sound you still "do not want to go through the wiring needed for a 5.1 system", then at that point you have made an informed decision, and at least you know all of what you'll be missing the next time time you watch a movie in anything less than 5.1.

 

[Nick250]

I agree with Tom. Either 2.1 or 5.1. What do you listen to most? Movies or music? If it's movies you might take a listen to a 5.1 system at one of the stores and see how you like it (maybe you have already done this) and go from there. Bottom line however, it all comes down to personal prefference.

Nick

 

[Xsound]

Here is another suggestion...
Since it is not imperative that your surruonds be voiced matched to get a "workable" 5.1 solution, buy your 3.1 (voice matched) for your front, and then consider these for your surrounds.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023NDLS/ref=nosim/103-7721575-4113455?n=172282

 

[Nick250]

Here is another suggestion...
Since it is not imperative that your surruonds be voiced matched to get a "workable" 5.1 solution, buy your 3.1 (voice matched) for your front, and then consider these for your surrounds.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023NDLS/ref=nosim/103-7721575-4113455?n=172282

What a great suggestion.

 

[Kai]

Above commentary on the 5.1 for movies is on point.
Sometimes it is also the "small" things that make the 5.1 so good...conversations going on in the background that you hear "behind" you...applause...automobiles driving by, etc...the 5.1 "fills" the scene often giving it a "3D" effect...

My "Home Theater" area is not huge because of the open floor plan. I just move the "surround" speakers from their home behind the couch (on the left side...right side is ok) when we watch a movie.

I prefer 2.1 for music.

http://community.webshots.com/user/KaiWinters

 

[sloal]

3x

Thank you for your response. About the time I "think" I know what I'm going to do I read a very logical and well thought out response like yours that gets me thinking again.

I appreciate the input.

 

[sloal]

muncybob

One of the questions I've been asking is just what you pointed, "what it is that I will miss and never know I missed it.

Thanks

 

[sloal]

Tom

This is interesting!

I've not even thought of 2.1

hmmmmmmmmm

thanks

Al

 

[sloal]

John,

Your point is well made.

thank you.

al

 

[sloal]

Nick

Mostly we watch NBC/CBS/ABC/HBO and FX (The Shield etc.)

A couple of times a month we rent a DVD from Hollywod Video, and through out the day I play CD's in stereo through the Yamaha

I think if we were bigger movie buffs we'd be rushing to the 5.1, but for what we do, the holes in wall and fishing the wires through are a challenging factor.

I need to think about this more. (It took me months to decide on the Sony!)

Thanks

 

[sloal]

Hi,

I cannot get the Amazon link to work. Can you give me the brand name or more info?

thanks

Here is another suggestion...
Since it is not imperative that your surruonds be voiced matched to get a "workable" 5.1 solution, buy your 3.1 (voice matched) for your front, and then consider these for your surrounds.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023NDLS/ref=nosim/103-7721575-4113455?n=172282

 

[sloal]

A question. . .

If the left "rear" of a 5.1 were to be about 8"-10" forward of the position of the right "rear" does that screw up the surroud effect?

Above commentary on the 5.1 for movies is on point.
Sometimes it is also the "small" things that make the 5.1 so good...conversations going on in the background that you hear "behind" you...applause...automobiles driving by, etc...the 5.1 "fills" the scene often giving it a "3D" effect...

My "Home Theater" area is not huge because of the open floor plan. I just move the "surround" speakers from their home behind the couch (on the left side...right side is ok) when we watch a movie.

I prefer 2.1 for music.

http://community.webshots.com/user/KaiWinters

 

[Johnd]

A question. . .

If the left "rear" of a 5.1 were to be about 8"-10" forward of the position of the right "rear" does that screw up the surroud effect?

Not really, as "surround" is supposed to be just that; surrounding you with sound rather than being directional. Although, ideally, surround speakers are placed equidistant from the listening position.

 

[jonnythan]

3.1 is way better than 2.1 in my experience. I ran phantom center before my center channel came in, and having the center channel made the experience significantly better.

Nothing wrong with 3.1..... but, really, the only thing you need to turn 3.1 into full surround sound is a pair of small speakers and a pair of 25 foot speaker wires. Go for the whole thing.

 

[Johnd]

the holes in wall and fishing the wires through are a challenging factor.

Wires need not be fished through the wall to be functional, nor even aesthetic. There are plenty of alternatives with exposed wiring/cabling that can be made unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing. jfyi. Cheers.

 

[sloal]

Johnd

We've recently retired and have moved to a pretty up-scale neighborhood in a fairly expensive house, so my wife (and I) want a neat installation as opposed to a high-tech look, which would have worked in our previous home.

That said, I'd like to see what it is that your are referring to. Can you point me in the direction of the wiring or cabeling that would be exposed, yet aesthetically pleasing.

Thanks for your interest and help.

a

Wires need not be fished through the wall to be functional, nor even aesthetic. There are plenty of alternatives with exposed wiring/cabling that can be made unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing. jfyi. Cheers.