Why is 2 Channel better than multi-channel?

...the instruments are individually distributed to the five channels. For example: violin left, viola right, flute center, cello left surround, piano right surround.

Eldartford - This is the approach to multichannel music that I find unnatural, since I am not accustomed to hearing music from the middle of a chamber group. Having said that, I don't want to imply that other people should feel the way I do. It's a matter of preference, and in this case, I don't believe that one preference is more valid than the other.

The effect is to put the musicians in your room as opposed to the usual approach of transporting you to some recording venue.

I think you are right about this. So, whether you find this approach to multichannel music appealing depends largely on whether you prefer the illusion that "you are there" or the illusion that "they are here." That distinction was discussed at length in another thread.

Bryon

Eldartford wrote: The effect is to put the musicians in your room as opposed to the usual approach of transporting you to some recording venue.

Bryoncunningham wrote: I think you are right about this. So, whether you find this approach to multichannel music appealing depends largely on whether you prefer the illusion that "you are there" or the illusion that "they are here."

I have enjoyed both but my decided preference is "you are there" mainly because I cannot fit or even imagine fitting more than a handful of musicians in my listening room. However, that is a matter of preference and the fact that multichannel media can be used to satisfy either preference should be regarded as one of its technical advantages.

Kal

I've always wanted to have a CD with a quartet recorded one per channel so it would sound like you were standing in the middle of them. I think it would sound really interesting.

...the fact that multichannel media can be used to satisfy either preference should be regarded as one of its technical advantages.

I agree, Kal.

The Los Angelos Guitar Quartet has a very well recorded SACD out ("Latin"), with one of the guitar players mixed to each of the four corner channels. They have a few more SACDs out that probably does the same.

If you want to experience instruments coming at you from all four corners in quite a different genre, get the quadrophonic mix of Deep Purple's Machine Head.