5.1 mixes

Seems like 5.1 mixes have decreased significantly from ten years ago. Is this a dying format?

Do the majority on this forum have a 5.1 system and listen to music that way exclusively?



Edited by Grumpyprogfan - April 25 2021 at 14:05

Never tried it. Is it any good? Better experience than good ol' stereo mixes?

Edited by projeKct - April 25 2021 at 15:48

JD wrote: Specialty audio format for those with lots of disposable income ! It's the 3D BluRay of audio. I doubt the majority of any particular group have or listen exclusively to 5.1. Besides, hasn't it been replaced by 7.1? Now it's the Gillette Fusion 5 of audio.

5.1 Blu-ray mixes and set-up are affordable. Audiophile, LP systems are not. Hell, one LP costs more than a 5.1 disc. And yes, it's 7.1 now, called Dolby Atmos. Wilson is living in the past with his 5.1 mixes. It seems no one here digs it. I used to love it but anymore I listen in stereo, as less releases are mixed in surround.

Dolby Atmos is actually 5.1.4 or 7.1.4, the .4 are the Atmos effect speakers in the ceiling. I've never had a HT setup to be able to listen to 5.1 music, HT setups are generally not for music listening at least the quality of sound is not as engaging as a traditional 2-channel setup, digital or analog.

5.1 dying ??? I don't know about that for sure but it seems to be pretty active with some Progressive Rock bands. For me I don't care about popularity and fashion, they said that Prog rock is dying for years but we can still can find some great music, same with 5.1 mixes. I have been listening to a lot of surround mixes in the last 5 years and I learned about the different mixes and i can say that is a new way to discover your favorite albums of the past and some new material as well. Steven Wilson, Robert Redd and Bruce Soord have done some great mixes and I can only hope that many more musicians take the same route in the future.


Edited by rdtprog - April 26 2021 at 03:04

^There are plenty of 5.1 mixes that come without a box set. They are sold as Blu-ray only. I know you are an audiophile and prefer LP's, but how many surround mixes have you listened to? Two that stand out for me are Stupid Dream and TAAB Part II. Also, curious how much moolah do you have invested in your stereo system and have you acoustically treated your listening room? You need to invite me over to experience this sonic nirvana you brag about.

Edited by Grumpyprogfan - April 26 2021 at 18:11

Grumpyprogfan wrote: Seems like 5.1 mixes have decreased significantly from ten years ago. Is this a dying format? Do the majority on this forum have a 5.1 system and listen to music that way exclusively?

Not exclusively, but I can say when it comes to serious outward listening experiences, I go with 5.1.
:)

progbethyname wrote: Grumpyprogfan wrote: Seems like 5.1 mixes have decreased significantly from ten years ago. Is this a dying format? Do the majority on this forum have a 5.1 system and listen to music that way exclusively? Not exclusively, but I can say when it comes to serious outward listening experiences, I go with 5.1. :)

Awesome. What are some of your favorites?

Grumpyprogfan wrote: Just listened to Steven Wilson's Hand.Cannot.Erase. in DTS 5.1. Wow. Amazing. Takes the listening experience to another level that can't be experienced in stereo.

I have all his albums up to To The Bone on DVD/BD. Grace For Drowning is definitely my favourite Surround mix, very atmospheric.