Why is 2 Channel better than multi-channel?

i listen to two channel only for music, have a linn 5140
set up aktiv with 5120 aktiv middle, but only room for 5110 for rear. run cary dvd 6 for both music and movies. when i bypass the processor, rotel 1098, i get very good 2 channel sound, but when i am at my office i liste to a 8 rear old ATI Little boy amp and a old denon hdcd cd player with variable ouput straight in, thru a pair of totem
arros. both sytems sing and are sifferent. hte stage and imaging in my minimalistic office system is great, and the depth and room filling sound at home is fantastic. frankly,
I haven't had too many bands play behind me, so the multi channel stuff isn't too interesting to me. I get the room affects that one would expect without using extra speakers. actually, 5 channel stereo and matrix souurounds always sounded better to me, but for parties only.

I like the arguments for and against however, and if i had the big dough, I'd jsut have a few rooms to my liking and just create each one, but you do what you can.

For what it's worth...

When I listen to music I have to have it coming from in front of me. It just seems artificial to think I'll have musicians behind me. The band, orchestra, etc, is always in front of me. So, for me personally, I just can't listen to music on a surround type setup - it just seems fake... I'm not knocking the folks who do - I'm strictly speaking about myself - I just can't enjoy the music unless it's from a 2-channel setup... I'm sure it's psychological but I've never been able to think of it any other way... It doesn't matter how good the surround system is - in my brain it computes as fraud so my listening ears just write it off as something "other than" authentic... That in no- way means it doesn't sound good - it just doesn't sound authentic...

Just my 2-pence worth...

Dwl...Did you know that there is a rather extensive genre of music called "antiphonal" where several groups of musicians are situated around the audience, some behind? This music got lost when artificial recorded sound was invented because that came only from one place. Multichannel makes it possible to properly hear this music. I also made an interesting discovery when listening to a SACD of Bach organ fugues played in a cathedral that has several organs. This music is obviously "antiphonal", although it has (to the best of my knowledge) never been described as such, probably because there are so few multiple organ installations. The antiphonal aspect gives these "war horse" works a new dimension (pun intended).

In small groups such as classical chamber music, or jazz jam sessions, the musicians are often all around you, and simple stereo does not (to use your word) "authentically" reproduce the experience.

And then, even for an orchestral work, there is ambience.

So, in summary, I think you should open your mind a bit. You really don't know what you are missing. (But don't use elcheapo surround speakers, or you will be disappointed).

Hi Eldartford,

Thanks for the info… I’ve never really heard of antiphonal setups… I have a Bang & Olufsen system that plays in surround mode. B&O used to use a matrix-quad system years ago. It expanded the music quite a bit. The system was still more of a 2 channel enhanced system than a surround though…

I now have a set of Pipedream’s Model 15’s powered by a VAC Avatar Super using a Resolution Audio’s Opus 21 DAC and transport. I’ve put on those surround sound tuning CD’s that shift the music through different stages to test the system’s ability to place music – geesh – I think that make’s sense… - Honestly, the system has a very established separation and very clear positioning.

When playing a typical decent CD the performance is outstanding. In fact, there are many times when I can look directly at the speakers and cannot hear the music coming from them at all – yet, the music is playing. It is as if the performers are truly there in front of me. I usually listen to my music very late between 11pm and 2am or sometimes I just get up around 3 or 5am so I can kick-back and listen. It’s a great way to start the day… The music completely surrounds me – yet – the performance is always in front me – on stage and that’s just the way, I guess, it makes sense in my brain or listening ear…

One of the best and surprising things about these Pipes – it doesn’t matter how loud I drive the system… The sound stage never really changes – the music simply gets louder but the sound-stage doesn’t travel past me or seem like it’s blowing in my face – sort-of speak. That in my opinion is truly incredible. I was listening to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture one night on about 4 (1-10 volume)– which is typically very, very loud but with some symphonies that works great very filling but not over powering… When those @#$@#$ cannon’s went off – I almost put skid marks in my drawers… no kidding – I totally forgot about them cannons and I practically fell out of my chair… It was one of those moments when I just started laughing because it was so unexpected and “shocking” when it happened…

I listen to music on the surround system everyday but it just seems “enhanced.” I will admit that a live concert CD or HD type sometime sounds more realistic on my surround system. Mainly because it allows for the noises of the crowd and the reverb to sort-of fill in the blanks. However, when I’m just listening to recorded pieces – my 2-channel is the only thing that fills my soul and removes the daily grind from my brain… Maybe it’s because I used to play in a band years ago so I’ve got that burned in my head… I also have to admit that I’ve never really had the opportunity to listen to music on a good system other than my B&O. I’d love to though… I live in Southern Maryland… If anyone has a good surround system for their music, I’d love to give it a listen...!

Thanks for the response and I’ll definitely keep an open mind – hmm, my wife says my mind wanders a lot already though – so I best not keep it too open… :-)

Thanks
David

Dwl...Your mind, it seems, is definitely open. May I suggest that any matrix multichannel system (and I was heavily into that once) is very inferior to true discrete multichannel like DVDA or SACD. Also your two channel setup is excellent.

I think that there are two important aspects to sound reproduction: first... the sonic qualitiy (distortion, frequency response, etc.) and secondly...spatial. Multichannel addresses the second aspect, and this can be implemented with top of the line equipment, or with elcheapo stuff.

Spatial effectiveness can vary greatly even with straight stereo. Some speakers image much better than others, and planar speakers (which I like) differ most greatly from box speakers in their spatial reproduction character.

As I have mentioned before, I was around when stereo was introduced, and it got much the same reception from monaural audiophiles as multichannel does today. The more things change the more they stay the same.