Which speaker setup best describes your primary audio system?

[Putter]

While I answered 5.1, I have what seems like systems for each room including 2 for the bedrooms. If you exclude the kitchen and bathroom (yes, the bathroom!) since they're basically compact systems playing into upgraded speakers. Here's the listing.

7.1 systems - 1
5.1 systems - 3
2.1 systems - 2
2.0 systems - 4

My primary music systems are a 5.1 desktop system and 2.1 system.
Movies and TV are split between a 5.1 and a 7.1 system.

While the vast majority of listening is stereo based with occasional ventures into multichannel up mixing, I prefer multichannel recordings.

 

[MCH]

Conclusion: Multichannel users talk a lot but aren't many

 

[gnarly]

I just voted other; hope the following details warrant it.

Main system is 3 channel L-C-R, but it is used solely for music (no HT or TV use).
The idea is to achieve enhancement of normal stereo, thru use of a center channel.

The center channel is driven by a matrix along the lines of Gerzon's Trifield work. Multiple matrices are switchable via presets.
Further presets allow listening to any single speaker with L-R summation, normal L-R stereo, L-R both with L-R summation, all three with L-R summation. These help identify how a stereo recording was made, to try to determine what matrix works best when.

L-C-R speakers are all the same ..... a 5-way active. (The bottom section on each is a sub.)

 

[bluefuzz]

I am still a bit shocked that the multichannel use is not higher.

And I would guess multichannel usage is at least an order of magnitude greater on this forum than in the general population (at least in this part of the world). There's obviously a fairly high percentage of the 'multi-curious' here ... ;-)

 

[Duke]

While the vast majority of listening is stereo based with occasional ventures into multichannel up mixing, I prefer multichannel recordings.

I can understand your preference for multichannel recordings.

If you don't mind, why are your ventures into upmixing only "occasional"?

 

[fpitas]

Conclusion: Multichannel users talk a lot but aren't many

Right? I feel like a proper dinosaur listening to two channels on horn speakers....

I'm ok with that!

 

[ryanosaur]

Right? I feel like a proper dinosaur listening to two channels on horn speakers....

I'm ok with that!

Here's the idea...
You and other 2-channelers aren't dinosaurs, and those of us that are multi-channelers aren't abhorrent. And we are all OK with everybody!

If you don't mind, why are your ventures into upmixing only "occasional"?

I can't speak to Putter's situation, but for Rock or other "conventional" Music I find the MC Upmixing to create a very artificial sound. On the other hand, Electronica upmixes quite well in my experience, perhaps because as a former performing musician I do not have the expectation of how an actual instrument sounds IRL compared to the manufactured sound. *shrugs

 

[Duke]

Here's the idea...
You and other 2-channelers aren't dinosaurs, and those of us that are multi-channelers aren't abhorrent.

Well I suppose that being a ryanosaur WOULD qualify you as the resident expert on who is and is not a dinosaur...

I can't speak to Putter's situation, but for Rock or other "conventional" Music I find the MC Upmixing to create a very artificial sound. On the other hand, Electronica upmixes quite well in my experience, perhaps because as a former performing musician I do not have the expectation of how an actual instrument sounds IRL compared to the manufactured sound.

So upmixing tends to sound more artificial (relative to stereo) for "conventional" music? Very interesting. Thanks!

I mean... roawwwr!

 

[MattHooper]

Here's the idea...
You and other 2-channelers aren't dinosaurs, and those of us that are multi-channelers aren't abhorrent. And we are all OK with everybody!


I can't speak to Putter's situation, but for Rock or other "conventional" Music I find the MC Upmixing to create a very artificial sound. On the other hand, Electronica upmixes quite well in my experience, perhaps because as a former performing musician I do not have the expectation of how an actual instrument sounds IRL compared to the manufactured sound. *shrugs

Yeah I really enjoy electronica upmixed to surround in my HT system!

(And actually, it often helps many youtube music videos sound nicer too).

 

[Putter]

I can understand your preference for multichannel recordings.

If you don't mind, why are your ventures into upmixing only "occasional"?

It is hard to describe because it's a subjective 'preference' thing. Upmixing by which I mean using Dolby Surround or DTS Neural X, etc. work on certain genres such as symphonic, some jazz. What I don't like it on is vocal based music. It seems to mess it up. It sounds like a different person. There are also times where all music sounds better upmixed, but most of the stereo is preferred for 2 channel recordings.

 

[Philbo King]

How do you guys like quad? Do you ever try upmixing to the rears or use them only for quad mixes?

Not sure what 'upmixing to the rears' means. I leave it in 7 channel stereo mode, and all 4 speakers just work...

 

[Snarfie]

Can't find plain 2ch stereo.

 

[bluefuzz]

Can't find plain 2ch stereo.

That would be 2.0, active or passive ...

 

[Frank Dernie]

What I don't like it on is vocal based music. It seems to mess it up. It sounds like a different person.

This is instructive.
Those of us not playing a musical instrument are much more familiar with human voice than any musical instrument or hall ambience. If "upmixing" is blatantly screwing up the vocals it will also be screwing up all the other instruments just as much but we aren't familiar enough with what they actually sound like to be much offended by it.
Probably.

From a fidelity pov clearly not much use, from a "I like the noise it makes*" pov, a personal choice.

* with apologies to Sir Thomas Beecham

 

[Sal1950]

I voted multich 9.x
The correct statement would be 5.2.4

 

[Frank Dernie]

I should add that I am not a big video watching person.
I probably watch a film fewer than 3 times per month, and that usually when family come around. The extra channels and sub got switched on twice in August, for example.

If I was more into the video side of things I would have a full, probably Neumann but maybe Genelec, surround system for the video side and listen to music on it as well.

As it is, hours a day music listening to the stereo and mono recordings I have bought means stereo is where my money and effort (room and speaker and listener location) have been spent.

 

[kthulhutu]

Not sure what 'upmixing to the rears' means. I leave it in 7 channel stereo mode, and all 4 speakers just work...

That would be upmixing, unless you are listening to native 7.1 content.

 

[RickS]

Last call!

Looks as though the responses have wound down and considering calling it done for this round

Thanks to all who already voted!

Rick

 

[Offler]

Passive 2.0

I was looking for a decent sound solution for a PC. After years of struggling with anything above 2.x - usually issues with drivers and app compatibility, I have decided to go for smaller, simpler setup.

Active/passive was initially not a preference, but I settled for a set of passive DBR-62s with an integrated amplifier fed over SPDIF.

 

[Peterinvan]

We sold our house and downsized to a condo.

Primary listening in my small den:
Win 11 PC > KEF LS50W + SVS1000 sub. This works well in my small room that is treated with absorbing panels. Fantastic sound stage and pinpoint isolation. My listening position is an 8’ triangle.

Small living room, and TV:
I tossed the surround sound speakers and JVC receiver and switched to a simple Onkyo 9110 integrated with the ELAC 5.2 speakers that fit horizontally under the TV. Great sound quality and I don’t miss the loud surround effects. I added a Bluetooth receiver for casual music listening from my iPad Pro.