Total Newb Question

[guggas]

Please excuse my newbness, I'm trying to learn here.
So, I have a 5.1 reciever (Pioneer 521k) and 5 speakers and a sub.
I'm playing some cd's and listening to Pandora streaming, and I'm noticing that the sound only comes out of the (mains?) front left and right speakers and the sub.It sounds pretty good, but I'm thinking that if the sound came out of all the speakers it would sound better.
If i put the reciever in Advanced Surround mode it comes out of all the speakers, but it sounds like crap, kinda like its inside a submarine or something.
If I play a dvd or a bluray, the surround speakers work and everything sounds fine.

So my question is, is this normal? I'm guessing that cd's are a 2.1 sound source? and because of that I can only utilize 2 speakers and a sub? Is there a good way to get sound out of all my speakers at once using pandora or cd's? or am i asking for something that i don't really want here?

Thanks, any explaining that you can offer to get me a clue is appreciated, thx.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Some people like Multichannel Stereo (5ch), instead of plain Stereo (2ch). I know Denon AVRs have this MCh Stereo mode.

I prefer just plain 2.1 stereo b/c that sounds the best to me.

I don't like using DSP (which is what you were doing). I think they add distortion and mess up the SQ.

Some audio formats are recorded in 5.1 (DTS, SACD, DVD-A), but most are 2.0.

 

[j_garcia]

If i put the reciever in Advanced Surround mode it comes out of all the speakers, but it sounds like crap, kinda like its inside a submarine or something.

Actually, part of your question is your answer. Along with what AccuDefTechGuy said, you can try the various surround modes that your receiver has, but I personally agree with what he said and don't typically use any of them. Some do an OK job, but none really sounds "real" for lack of a better term.

CDs are stereo, aka 2.0 channels. Your receiver processes the ".1" also

 

[Josuah]

I'm in the same camp as AcuDefTechGuy and prefer 2.1 for regular stereo music. But if you want to use multichannel DSP, try Dolby Pro Logic IIx Movie (even though you are playing music). I believe that one's parameters introduce the least amount of echo/delay. You might like that one.

 

[zieglj01]

I do not alter 2 channel or 2.1 music - I do not want to mess with
the imaging and soundstage. If my L/R speakers can not produce
good imaging, and a good soundstage with depth - then I will fire
my speakers. If it was really recorded in surround sound - then I
will give it a chance.

 

[markw]

When listening to music from a two channel source, it's natural sound is two channels, no more.

These newer receivers offer various methods of taking those original two channels, applying various algorithms, and "fake" additional channels out of basically thin air.

Obviously, the nature of the overall sound will be changed. For better worse, it does satisfy the need some feel that they must use all the channels they paid for all the time. Heaven knows, modern receivers offer many. many variations on this theme from which to choose.

Whether one likes the end result is up to ones personal tastes.

Personally, I, and some others here, prefer my two channel music straight up, with just a touch of subwoofer added.

Feeding a sub is another story and generally not too big a deal. All they generally do is combine the common bass into the LFE channel and can be implemented quite successfully with a two channel source without mangling the original two channels with many receivers.

As for using all the channels you paid for, you don't always use all the horsepower your car is capable all the time. If you ran it flat out all the time you might run into problems. As long as it's there when you need it should be your goal.

 

[bikdav]

I'm in the same camp as AcuDefTechGuy and prefer 2.1 for regular stereo music. But if you want to use multichannel DSP, try Dolby Pro Logic IIx Movie (even though you are playing music). I believe that one's parameters introduce the least amount of echo/delay. You might like that one.

Agreed. I found the Dolby Pro Logic IIx rather amazing.

 

[zhimbo]

Yeah, try the Dolby Pro Logic II modes (music, or movie) if your reciever has them. I use them fairly often; they aren't always desirable, but sometimes they sound really terrific. Depends on the source material. Other settings (like multichannel stereo) typically sound dreadful.