How do you prefer listening to stereo (2.0) music?

[supervij]

I asked this question once before, and didn't get too many answers. This time, by adding a poll, perhaps a few more people might respond. I'm curious how people like to listen to stereo (2.0) music. With a sub, without, with two, all-channel stereo, DPL/Neo'd. Myself, I find listening in 2.0 (Pure Direct function) to be the most satisfying most of the time. However, there are some artists/albums that I occasionally enjoy listening to on DPLIIx Music, like Marillion or Pink Floyd.

So what do you prefer?

cheers,
supervij

 

[j_garcia]

2.1 or 2.0, depending on mood. Sounds the best that way IMO. No DSPs.

 

[Sheep]

2.1

My C-1s need a little help.

SheepStar

 

[AzN_plyR]

2.1 here too Those 6.5" driver is gonna need help with the bottom end.

 

[Nomo]

Some music does seems to be best in 2 channel, but I actually listen to most music in PLIIx music mode.

 

[Johnd]

Pure direct. Although sometimes with my sub (2.1) if I want a preponderance of bass for "those" songs. My Studio 100's usually perform pretty well withoutn the sub. Cheers.

 

[gellor]

2.0. no .1 yet.

 

[corysmith01]

2.1 for me usually. Every now and again I'll go pure direct. My Studio 20's have a fair amount of bass for bookshelves, so I don't feel like I'm missing too much, particularly on CD's that don't have a whole lot of low end. But mostly 2.1.

 

[Geno]

I like to mix it up. Some of my recordings sound fine in pure direct, but I like playing with the surround formats, too.

 

[Sheep]

2.1 for me usually. Every now and again I'll go pure direct. My Studio 20's have a fair amount of bass for bookshelves, so I don't feel like I'm missing too much, particularly on CD's that don't have a whole lot of low end. But mostly 2.1.

You have that little 800II. Must be nice with music.

SheepStar

 

[corysmith01]

You have that little 800II. Must be nice with music.

Yes indeedy Sheep. It does an admirable job for movies, which is probably helped by the fact that i'm in a small room and it doesn't have to get pushed hard. But music is definitely it's strength. Very tight, very snappy.

 

[rolski]

Direct. My B&W 802D's don't need any help with bass....

 

[Khorn]

I guess it's 2.0 with me as I have a simple, straight forward dedicated 2 channel SACD/CD system for music only and that's the way I like it.

 

[Dan]

I have it both ways. My two subs are in line with the main speakers and receive the output from the right and left not from an LFE channel. Esentially they are a part of the main speaker just in a separate box with an amp. I listen to vinyl 2 channel direct of course and usually use the D/A in my universal player rather than the pre/pro although I have it connected so that I can do either.

At least on my system two channel sounds WAY better than multichannel for most stereo recordings and even multichannel SACD/DVD-A. There are exceptions, mostly music with lots of effects like dark side of the moon and an SACD of an old quadrophonic album that you really need four channels to do properly. Any old jazz or classical SACD originally recorded in stereo usually sounds best in two channel.

 

[johndoe]

2.1
My setup is low end, but since I added a sub my pasture is a little greener
In any case, I don't have room for tower speakers, so even when I finally upgrade, it's gonna be a better pair of bookshelf spkrs + a sub.

 

[nibhaz]

85% 2.0
12.5% 2.1
2.5% DPLIIX

The main reason I have towers is because I really enjoy listening in strait up 2.0. Plus it allows me to listen at a slightly higher playback level without disturbing the neighbors as much.

However, some music such as electronica just has too much low frequency information that a sub is necessary. The sub also gets turned on if I know the neighbors are gone.

The only time I really use DPLIIx is when I’m not in the sweet spot or I’m moving around the apartment.

 

[j_garcia]

85% 2.0
12.5% 2.1
2.5% DPLIIX

The main reason I have towers is because I really enjoy listening in strait up 2.0. Plus it allows me to listen at a slightly higher playback level without disturbing the neighbors as much.

However, some music such as electronica just has too much low frequency information that a sub is necessary. The sub also gets turned on if I know the neighbors are gone.

That's pretty similar to me. Later at night or when I want to really crank it without the sub shaking the place apart, I put it in Source Direct for full range and no sub. I am normally listening at times when I know I can crank it and the sub is on

 

[Johnny Canuck]

I usually try either 2.1 on "stereo" setting with some added bass through the tone control, EQ off , or I push "ext in" on my Denon 3805 and listen to analog. It changes disc to disc.

JC

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Considering my setup is still the same one I had back in 1979, it's 2.0.

*sighs*

One day...

 

[JoeE SP9]

When I listen to music I use my left and right front speakers. The fact that I use dual subwoofers has nothing to do with 2.0 or 2.1. I play music in stereo. My ESL's are crossed over at 80Hz to my subs. I was doing this long befor Dolby, Dolby Digital, DTS or any sound scheme cooked up for the theatre came into general use. Unless a recording was mixed for surround sound it (to my ears) sounds better in stereo.