Stereo or Home Theater?

This is a great bunch of responses. Everyone seems to respect the fact that these two types of systems are for two different purposes.

As Jdlepera says, my HT setup is not mid fi, but certainly not equally competent on all channels. If I had the space and budget it would be nice to have a really big screen experience along with larger speakers, especially for the dialogue and side channels.

That being said, it's better to enjoy HT with good components, set up within your two channel than loose the opportunity to experience the fun of movies altogether

Apples and Oranges

It has been said before; these are two different mediums.

An audio system is about re-creating music generated in a controlled setting such as a recording studio or a concert hall. The experience is nearly 100% aural (except for those who are sight and / or visually impaired).

Home theatre is about creating a "you are there experience" regarding anything, anywhere. The experience is 50% (or more) visual and 50% (or less) aural (except for those who are sight and / or visually impaired).

The reason I make a big distinction between the two is that I prefer to listen to my audio system with my eyes closed (to reduce visual distractions) and I prefer to keep my eyes open for the home theatre experience.

Happy listening (and viewing)

Tlhub

I actually ignore the home theater idea all together in my home. For one or two simple reasons. I can't afford to build a really nice 2-channel setup yet. Let alone doing five or more channels. It's about the music for me. Movies are cool, but I don't really care to have them surround me. They are fun to kill time with, and I know a lot of people that love their home theaters. Just not my style. I never had the passion for it like I do for 2-channel.

I agree with all of the above. I do feel that home theatre or surround sound for that matter is really in the future. Combining the two has problems. Putting a video monitor between your stereo speakers is not ideal for stereo. This trade off might very well be the best compromise. Except for listeners out side the sweet spot, the center channel is usually an anethama to good stereo. The exception being those rare recordings with a discrete center channel played on an exact replica of the equipment used for stereo and placed equidistant from the listener. Ironicaly, this usually prohibits said video monitor. Playing back stereo recordings is bound to excite the drivers of unused speakers (unless strategicaly covered) causing added unwanted sound. The best way to make HT/SS work is to have all channels identical in equipment and placement. This requires an extremely large room with listener in the center. Using a good audiophile room the channels will have different speaker to side and speaker to rear relationships. As such the bass and wall reflections will differ giving different signals re: original sound vs. reflected sound which can smear and confuse the listening experience not to mention giving ample clue as to where the sound is originating from and thus putting cracks in the imageing. I have never heard any (at any cost!) rear channels sound natural. All is not lost. I think we can make HT/SS work. IMHO the best way would be using all an discrete channel media format, in a large room with flat monitor, all identical channels, equidistant from listener, omnidirectional speakers, room treatment and digital room correction. As for me I will continue to go with the best two channel system I can afford with tv in the center. If and when there is enough quality multichannel media format I will consider either upgrading my system ot incorporate it or using another room for HT/SS. As of now there is not enough software to justify the cost, which at current prices for the quality that I would expect is beyond my means. Any thoughts on using a round or (lets get really crazy) sphere shaped room (with listeners head centered)?

I love music and I love movies. Practicality has led me to have the best system I can that serves both these purposes as best as possible. There are definitely compromises, but having bought a couple channels of really excellent amplification for the L/R channels, I figure it's easier to just use them for both purpose. Hence, a single system, where there's a bit of a sonic compromise (though I still have a smile glued on my face when I'm listening) as opposed to a budgetary compromise. -Kirk