Hi-Rez Highway

RE: Regarding Multi-channel and Stereo

75.41.57.209

In Reply to: RE: Regarding Multi-channel and Stereo posted by DkB on February 26, 2008 at 16:04:09

I should clarify that my multi-channel experience is limited to classical and jazz. Except for a recent introduction to Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon”, I have had no pop/rock multi-channel experience. As a videographer I have attended live rock concerts. I must tell you that a live rock concert is quite immersive, very three dimensional in a way that is not possible with two-channels (except for perhaps a primo omni such as mbl). On the other had if a disc was “artificially” or poorly mixed which are what people have complained about in this forum with respect to popular discs then I fully understand the two-channel preference. The few times I have run across that kind of disc I quickly switch to the two-channel mode. But it should be very clear an aggressive mix such as you described is an artistic choice, not an insoluble mix of the genre and the technology.

With respect to classical music, it is extremely rare in my experience that a SACD mix has been poorly done. I recently mentioned the Biber Mass as one that missed the mark on an admittedly difficult task to attempt to recreate the portion of the score that called for rear instrumentation and choirs in the galleries. Otherwise, I don’t recall a guest turning their head in response to “unnatural” cues coming from the rear speakers. There have been no “cellos in the rear”. Multi-channel SACD is a *smashing* success.

I do think for some listeners multi-channel may require a paradigm shift like the paradigm shift that were required for in the mono to stereo transition (of for me stereo to mono on occasions).

**** Perhaps my system would sound
better if I had chosen speakers and amps that were half the price of the
Magico and Telos to build a surround system.*****

You’ve done the right thing. A great two-channel system trumps a “good” multi-channel system in my opinion, *especially*, when you take into account that much of your listening will still be in two channel even with a multi-channel system. The last thing I would want to do is to compromise a top tier two-channel experience.

Robert C. Lang

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