Stereo or 5.1

For movies 5.1 is great.  Four music in my mind the ideal setting is a 4.0.  I hate the little .1 action because I think it sounds horrible for music to have the bass coming out alone. 

For music: definitely stereo, but if you have a good 5.1, you can listen to stereo music...
For movies, definitely 5/6/7.1

Slartibartfast wrote: p0mt3 wrote: I've never understood what's so special about 5.1 mixes for music listening alone. I am perfectly fine with what my headphones give me. :) To heck with that.  Mono baby! What's so special about surround mixes?  Well, they do add an extra dimension to the music.  But let's face it, if the music is crap a 5.1 mix won't make it any better.  For those who take the position that albums are best sat down and listened to with your undivided attention, surround mixes aren't particularly amenable to portable listening experiences.  I suppose maybe there will be car systems where you can do that if there aren't already, but until we grow extra ears, headphones are right out.

Today many people have good 5.1 systems in their living rooms ... and of course they can also be used to play 2.0 audio.

p0mt3 wrote: I've never understood what's so special about 5.1 mixes for music listening alone. I am perfectly fine with what my headphones give me. :)

To heck with that.  Mono baby!

What's so special about surround mixes?  Well, they do add an extra dimension to the music.  But let's face it, if the music is crap a 5.1 mix won't make it any better.  For those who take the position that albums are best sat down and listened to with your undivided attention, surround mixes aren't particularly amenable to portable listening experiences.  I suppose maybe there will be car systems where you can do that if there aren't already, but until we grow extra ears, headphones are right out.

Slartibartfast wrote: Find yourself one of those old quadraphonic systems. Isn't it weird how that was a fad in the '70's but came back as surround sound? On a serious note, you can still do stereo on a surround sound system, so why not go that route?

Hey, don't mess with quad  I had a friend with a quad system and he had Overnite Sensation in quad.  You ain't lived until you've heard that in quad.  "I might be movin' to Montana soon" in all its quad glory.

Mr ProgFreak wrote: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/224&cl=US,EN

I think I paid that much for my sub.

Edited by jammun - July 24 2009 at 19:34

I'm old school, using 2.1.  I can't see spending the $$ on a 5.1 system.  The amp isn't much more, but those satellite speakers would surely bankrupt me.  Two ears, two speakers, and a sub to pump it up.

go for 5.1 if you can, some interesting sounds can be had from these systems and the quality is usually very good.  the effect of hearing a familiar album remixed for 6 channels is a very rewarding experience, but study the reviews, they''re not all good, but the best ones (such as PT "Fear of a blank planet" ) really shine. 

Edited by mystic fred - July 20 2009 at 11:14

Stereo- cause I only have two ears. But I like the .1 as well, so I prefer 2.1, stereo plus sub.

If you have surround system Stereo option is always with you.