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JD View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Home Theatre vs Dedicated Stereo
    Posted: September 05 2009 at 09:05
After many years of planning (ok, dreaming) we're finally in the position to do a major reno on the house. Included in the work will be what I like to refer to as my 'Media room', (commonly known as a family room). The room will house all my media, Albums, CD's, DVD/Blue Ray, Cassettes, VHS along with my big screen TV and a stereo/surround system. Currently I have a Rotel RA-972 integrated amp with 2 JBL TLX-2 bookshelf speakers and a JBL PSW-1000 sub for my music listening and engineering work. On the TV I have a Pioneer VSX-817 surround receiver and 2 PSB Alpha speakers. Even without a sub or back speakers this system kicks ass when watching the 'ol blue Ray movies. But when everything is in the same room I would prefer to not have multiple systems.

So my questions are...and I realize that with unlimited budget anything is possible, which I don't have...has the surround system technology caught up with the dedicated stereo technology so that only one system is really needed?
And secondly, are "stereo" speakers reasonable speakers to use on a surround system?
Music listening styles range from Classical and Jazz to Heavy Rock and Prog.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2009 at 13:27
No, I don't see why a surround system couldn't handle stereo just as well. A good set of left/right front speakers and a sub would handle this just fine in my opinion. But the best for good stereo listening in my opinion is a good set of headphones. :)


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Mr ProgFreak View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2009 at 13:43
Go for the home theatre. Since you already have a surround receiver, my recommendation would be to get some quality speakers (5.1) for it.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/Alpha-home-theater-systems


Edited by Mr ProgFreak - September 14 2009 at 13:45
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2009 at 14:17
I swear this has come up before and the simple answer is stereo can never reproduce surround sound and a surround sound system can do stereo.  I'm sure a really good stereo system can kick the ass of an average surround sound system when it comes to stereo, but I'm with Alton Brown (Food TV) on this one, a good multitasking device beats several single function ones.
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 18 2009 at 00:50
A surround speaker system will be fine if you use, " ideally", the same speaker models all round (except for bass) which should have matching impedance (8ohms)  matched with at least 100watt amp. To get decent sound quality they will need to be good ones, a lot of money to lay out but worth it in the end, don't get those cheap spindly things for £400 a set, go for something fairly decent such as Monitor Audio. Smile
 
I am limited for space in my 5.1 room and i use two Castle Howard floor speakers, two Linn Kann shelf mounted speakers, one Heybrook shelf mounted and one big bass  driver on the floor, not "ideal" but sounds great in 5.1 or stereo.
 


Edited by mystic fred - September 18 2009 at 01:24
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 02 2009 at 11:47
Audio and religion got a lot in common... There is a lot of dogma and make-believe. :)

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danova View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 18 2009 at 12:40
Here personally my room is too small for ideal repair, but I know that mirrors do space more.

Edited by danova - November 26 2009 at 10:14
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 25 2009 at 17:54
I have both systems in my house.
With my ever expanding collection of DVDA releases, in particular Porcupine Tree and the new absolutely amazing King Crimson albums, the stereo just doesn't get a lookin any more.
 I get really surprised and dissappointed that the Prog Archives community hasn't really picked up on how good the surround sound releases are. If more people were to buy surround be it DVDA or SACD format maybe it would encourage more bands to encompass this technology.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2009 at 01:21
At PF there's a tag for 5.1 mixes ... have a look at the chart:

http://progfreak.com/home/charts.xhtml?y=*any&tags=mix_5_1

You're welcome to add more albums to the list (by assigning the tag "5.1 Mix"). Smile
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