2.1 Stereo System for TV Listening
How well does a 2.1 stereo system work for TV listening? As I have been looking at smaller homes, I’ve noticed that in many of those places, the TV would need to be same room where I would be listening to music. In quite a few of these homes, it would be tough to set up a good 5.1 installation anyway. A 2.1 system makes a lot of sense, since sound quality for music is my priority. I currently have a quality 2.1 system with an integrated amp, tower speakers, and music streamer in my living room as well as a more modest 5.1 system in my TV room.
My biggest concern about using a 2.1 system for TV listening would be getting clear dialog audio at both low and high volumes. I would be interested in reading about your experience using a 2.1 system for TV listening. Thanks in advance for your input.
I am in total agreement that a 2.1 system can be well suited for audio and video. My systems that provided for both were based on 2-way stand mount speakers placed for best music reproduction, well off front wall with TV centered in between on front wall. TV can be covered when not in use. When using subwoofer often had it off for music. Don't use one now. Multi channel audio for video can be great however requires a dedicated video room for proper setup IMO. |
Often I force my 5.1 system to 2 channel stereo, it sounds better most of the time if not content with surround originally planned. Now, the issue becomes imaging. One person sitting in the middle is terrific imaging, but, if two or three, a few people off-center, then the dispersion pattern of you main L and R speakers have great importance. Even alone, I am partially to left of center because my side table with coffee warmer, coaster for a drink, box of spare remotes live there. Maybe the damn dog gets the middle (not here). My vintage speakers were designed for a wide creation of decent L/C/R imaging for the full width between them, and work quite well, the whole sofa gets L/C/R imaging. https://www.hifi-classic.net/review/dbx-soundfield-100-135.html I keep asking if anyone here knows of currently made speakers with similar dispersion exist. Alas, no one answers. Anchoring dialog for video with a center channel is very important, IF the program HAS center channel content. Much is 2 channel, no center signal. To move L or R info to the middle is to destroy imaging in many cases, so it really comes down to the pattern of the main L/R speakers. Easily adjustable toe-in can be a solution. The DBX system aims the left drivers more to the right side, BUT, left is closer to the volume of the left speaker, thus sitting left, you get L/C/R. opposite occurs sitting right side. I apply this principal to my main music system. Toe In directly at the center for me alone in the middle. Friend over, small table in the middle, both of us off center, I alter the toe-in, left speaker faces right person, ... opposite. Not perfect, yet both of us get decent l/c/r imaging, enjoyable enough to enjoy the intent of the content, this musician here, ... keep the flexibility in mind when choosing speakers, placing them, and ease of toe-in alteration. Enough slippery material on the bottom of the speakers, relative to their weight, get firm but movable.
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