Stereo or 5.1
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Other music related lounges
Forum Name: Tech Talk
Forum Description: Discuss musical instruments, equipment, hi-fi, speakers, vinyl, gadgets,etc.
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59698
Printed Date: January 07 2025 at 10:38
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Stereo or 5.1
Posted By: Manuelmoreno
Subject: Stereo or 5.1
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 09:16
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I have a simple stereo set on my bar: A Yamaha amplifier and a pair of Bose 301 series IV speakers with a TEAC CD player (and now a 32" LCD and a LG DVD player recently attached...). I have been blasting this system for almost 12 years and had no complain at all, it sounds like the day I unpacked them. Now I want to assemble a new system and bring the Yamaha-Bose equipment to a nice retirement in my bedroom. My question is, Should I switch to 5.1? It is really worth it? My original plan was to repeat the formula Yamaha-Bose because I never feel the necesity of five speakers. What do you prog fans think? I am missing a whole new experience and must run to the shop for a 5.1 system? |
Replies:
Posted By: NotAProghead
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 09:45
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I think 5.1 (or even 6.1 or 7.1) is a good bonus if you're watching DVDs and plan to listen to SACD or DVD-Audio, but don't hurry to buy anything. I don't think cheap 5.1 system will be an improvement. In stereo mode new system should sound at least no worse than your old one. Choose carefully A/V reciever (Yamaha has lots of pretty good models), good speakers and perhaps subwoofer. Of course the pleasure will take some money.
------------- Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour) |
Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 09:46
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For movies: Definitely. For music: It's not really that important. There are a couple of nice 5.1 mixes of prog albums, but they're not exactly mind-boggling. ------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
Posted By: NotAProghead
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 09:52
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I can't agree with Mr. ProgFreak, there are lots of live music DVDs with great DD5.1 or DTS sound. ------------- Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour) |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 09:59
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I prefer Stereo to surround for music listening. Surround is a nice gimmick, but I find it more distracting than anything else (for music) ------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: NotAProghead
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 10:04
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If you have surround system Stereo option is always with you. ------------- Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour) |
Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 10:11
I'd say that those are movies (DVD) rather than music (CD, DVD-A, SACD). Of course you'll need a 5.1 system to properly watch live music DVDs.  ------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
NotAProghead wrote:Posted By: cobb2
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 10:17
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Stereo- cause I only have two ears. But I like the .1 as well, so I prefer 2.1, stereo plus sub. Surround sound is great for movies to give perception of movement, but what's the point in music- instruments don't move forwards to backwards or vice versa when played.
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Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 11:12
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^ true, but some 5.1 music mixes are nice indeed ... for example you can place strings on the back speakers and the rest in the front, or place the whole band around the listener. And of course live music DVDs benefit from 5.1 in that the audience ambience (sic) can be placed on the back and front speakers while the music remains in the front ... giving you the feeling of being among the audience.
------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
Posted By: mystic fred
Date Posted: July 20 2009 at 11:13
go for 5.1 if you can, some interesting sounds can be had from these systems and the quality is usually very good. the effect of hearing a familiar album remixed for 6 channels is a very rewarding experience, but study the reviews, they''re not all good, but the best ones (such as PT "Fear of a blank planet" ) really shine. 
-------------  Prog Archives Tour Van 
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Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: July 21 2009 at 02:42
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5.1 anyday for me... ------------- 
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Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: July 22 2009 at 21:22
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I'm old school, using 2.1. I can't see spending the $$ on a 5.1 system. The amp isn't much more, but those satellite speakers would surely bankrupt me. Two ears, two speakers, and a sub to pump it up. ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: July 23 2009 at 01:34
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/224&cl=US,EN - http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/224&cl=US,EN  ------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: July 24 2009 at 19:33
------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: July 24 2009 at 20:21
Find yourself one of those old quadraphonic systems. Isn't it weird how that was a fad in the '70's but came back as surround sound? On a serious note, you can still do stereo on a surround sound system, so why not go that route? |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: July 24 2009 at 22:32
 I had a friend with a quad system and he had Overnite Sensation in quad. You ain't lived until you've heard that in quad. "I might be movin' to Montana soon" in all its quad glory.------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 24 2009 at 22:56
| I've never understood what's so special about 5.1 mixes for music listening alone. I am perfectly fine with what my headphones give me. :) |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 08:01
To heck with that. Mono baby!  What's so special about surround mixes? Well, they do add an extra dimension to the music. But let's face it, if the music is crap a 5.1 mix won't make it any better. For those who take the position that albums are best sat down and listened to with your undivided attention, surround mixes aren't particularly amenable to portable listening experiences. I suppose maybe there will be car systems where you can do that if there aren't already, but until we grow extra ears, headphones are right out. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 09:47
 ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 10:48
Today many people have good 5.1 systems in their living rooms ... and of course they can also be used to play 2.0 audio. ------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: July 25 2009 at 14:33
Well, at least somebody else here shares my sentiments when it comes to this topic. I just think 5.1 is too much, if that makes any sense. I don't want my albums scattered across the room; I like the music right in front of me where i can take it all in. As I said above, if I want to feel 'surrounded' by said music, I'll pop my headphones on and the effect is even better. |
Posted By: mono
Date Posted: July 30 2009 at 07:04
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For music: definitely stereo, but if you have a good 5.1, you can listen to stereo music... For movies, definitely 5/6/7.1 ------------- https://soundcloud.com/why-music Prog trio, from ambiant to violence https://soundcloud.com/m0n0-film Film music and production projects https://soundcloud.com/fadisaliba (almost) everything else |
Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: July 30 2009 at 07:14
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Still prefer 2x2, 2 big floor speakers ,suported my 2 smaller speakers 3 meters above ground level. ------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: himtroy
Date Posted: July 30 2009 at 21:49
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For movies 5.1 is great. Four music in my mind the ideal setting is a 4.0. I hate the little .1 action because I think it sounds horrible for music to have the bass coming out alone.
For example, Alan Parson's quad mix of DSOTM on my computer with the bass under the desk sounds average. Then I go to my friend's apartment with the quad 4.0 setup and when Money comes in and the bass is crushing me from every side I understand the quality of the setup.
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