Experiencing Blu-ray in 2CH Stereo only!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Before the wolves come out to bite me in the a$$, let me state here and now that Blu-ray should be experienced in glorious lossless sound within a multi-channel setup. There is absolutely no denying that and I am not questioning this for even a second.

There are many members here (existing and new) who don't have a multi-channel setup for whatever reason. I am one of those (by choice). I do however still greatly enjoy all of my BD's audio despite the lack of incorporation of a multi-channel setup. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have a decent AVR (Yamaha HTR-6190B) and a solid set of speakers (Totem Sttaf). I don't truly miss the surround experience for most movies in all honesty, and I think it's because I buy movies for their "content" appeal, not necessarily the video/audio aspect.

If one is the type of person who enjoys the blockbuster movies like Transformers, TDK, The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy, etc., then a 2CH setup will likely never be satisfactory. However, does that mean it can't be engaging and aurally satisfying in 2CH Stereo? For me personally it can be and it is.

I am posing the 2CH Stereo scenario in this thread, in part, because I want people to understand that it isn't necessary to go out and buy a full multi-channel system right away, just because you now have a HDTV and a BDP.

Start slowly and build up your system with quality components. If that means starting with an AVR and 2 speakers, so be it. A 2CH Stereo Blu-ray movie experience is still very gratifying to watch and listen to. In a few months one could add a Centre-Channel and/or a sub-woofer, and later on the surround speakers and/or rear-surrounds for that 7.1 setup.

With quality components and a view to the future, 2CH Stereo for Blu-ray is a great experience and one you won't regret.

John

[Opips2]

]
Hello John

I understand that, I offer you "The Last Emperor" has only DTS HD 2CH lossless. if you like the movie. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-L...-Blu-ray/1196/

I arrow target shooting to blu-ray music has high definition audio for 2CH stereo uncompress and 5CH multi-channel lossless audio because Blu-ray has lot of space in 25 gb or 50 gb format. I'm happily and thanks Sony.

Opi

[digitalfilmlover]

Some blus only have 2 channel audio tracks but I'd say that you're missing out tremendously if you don't have a 7.1 system let alone a 5.1 system. There's just too much going on that if you don't have that, then it's really a shame. Not saying that you can't get any enjoyment from 2 channels, but to experience the full power of Blu, go for the 7.1

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by digitalfilmlover

Some blus only have 2 channel audio tracks but I'd say that you're missing out tremendously if you don't have a 7.1 system let alone a 5.1 system. There's just too much going on that if you don't have that, then it's really a shame. Not saying that you can't get any enjoyment from 2 channels, but to experience the full power of Blu, go for the 7.1

Oh I agree digitalfilmlover! I merely wanted to point out that 2CH for Blu-ray is nothing to sneeze at, especially if you choose your components properly and have an upgrade plan in place.

For the record, the most amazing film I've watched utilizing 5.1 is Band of Brothers. It wasn't just sound coming from all angles...it was realism. I may even have ducked a few times!

John

[digitalfilmlover]

Originally Posted by John72953

Oh I agree digitalfilmlover! I merely wanted to point out that 2CH for Blu-ray is nothing to sneeze at, especially if you choose your components properly and have an upgrade plan in place.

For the record, the most amazing film I've watched utilizing 5.1 is Band of Brothers. It wasn't just sound coming from all angles...it was realism. I may even have ducked a few times!

John

I agree about the Band of Brothers audio track. Yeah, and I commend you for giving a thumbs up for the 2 channel tracks. Some can be quite loud and pleasing. It shouldn't distract someone from going Blu if that's what they have.

[JBL4645]

Originally Posted by Opips2

]
Hello John

I understand that, I offer you "The Last Emperor" has only DTS HD 2CH lossless. if you like the movie. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-L...-Blu-ray/1196/

I arrow target shooting to blu-ray music has high definition audio for 2CH stereo uncompress and 5CH multi-channel lossless audio because Blu-ray has lot of space in 25 gb or 50 gb format. I'm happily and thanks Sony.

Opi

I saw and heard The Last Emperor in six-track Dolby stereo type A around mid 1990’s part of 70mm festival.

A starting budget AVR today with pre-outputs don’t get the ones that don’t offer per audio outputs. They often start around £400.00 or is that $600.00 dollars, well who cares.

It’s not all, that expensive to delve into the delights of 7.1.

[RevolveR72]

I have no desire to go to 5.1/7.1 in the foreseeable future for various reason (space/wiring/cost/etc) and having a past background selling Audio equipment at times I feel a little guilty. ((((Hi-Fi)))) for the place I have now (while not as mind-blowing as 5.1+) is still like John72953 said is a huge Thumbs up for me. My issue is that again due to space I cannot invest in a receiver/speaker set-up and will be resigning to a Speaker bar.

Anyone have a better suggestion then the Zvox 550 ($399)? For the price and feedback this product has receiving so far it looks like the winner.

[BIslander]

One problem with listening to 2 channels on Blu-ray is the lack of genuine stereo mixes. Very few discs have a stereo option. You are left with a downmix of the multichannel source, which may not necessarily work that well for stereo. TrueHD allows the content producer to include an actual stereo mix that can be used instead of the downmix. But, I don't know that many (any?) producers take advantage of that option.

[tootall82103]

I still watch the majority of movies in stereo. Most of them are along the lines of comedy movies which don't really utilize surround sound. If I turn on Independence Day I'd like surround sound but overall I'm perfectly happy with stereo as long as I have 2 decent speakers. If I just listened to music I would have never got a center or surrounds. Music in something more than a 2.1 annoys me. The Eagles Farewell Tour (best concert DVD ever!!) has a nice DTS mix but stereo just sounds much better to me.

[rded]

Originally Posted by digitalfilmlover

Some blus only have 2 channel audio tracks but I'd say that you're missing out tremendously if you don't have a 7.1 system let alone a 5.1 system. There's just too much going on that if you don't have that, then it's really a shame. Not saying that you can't get any enjoyment from 2 channels, but to experience the full power of Blu, go for the 7.1

Movies and programs watched on an GREAT 2-channel system will always outclass a mediocre 5/6/7.1 system

Originally Posted by John72953

Oh I agree digitalfilmlover! I merely wanted to point out that 2CH for Blu-ray is nothing to sneeze at, especially if you choose your components properly and have an upgrade plan in place.

For the record, the most amazing film I've watched utilizing 5.1 is Band of Brothers. It wasn't just sound coming from all angles...it was realism. I may even have ducked a few times!

John

John,

I have been flirting with and strongly considering the idea of trading my Center, surrounds speakers, AVR, crappy sub and do strictly 2 channel. Hahaha! I know my wife will love this idea as there are less speakers involed

[tootall82103]

Originally Posted by rded

I have been flirting with and strongly considering the idea of trading my Center, surrounds speakers, AVR, crappy sub and do strictly 2 channel. Hahaha! I know my wife will love this idea as there are less speakers involed

rded,
What's your pick of components for a great 2 channel setup?

[jomari]

good post here john,

albeit i do concur with Bislander, there are only a few media out there that do have dedicated 2.0 channel tracks available for 'true 2 channel listening', thus the loss on certain details found in a regular 5.1 track.

a great 2 channel setup (also 2.1) would be able to reproduce a soundstage that would make you 'believe' there is a center channel, with the effect of dialogue being reproduced almost in the middle. with proper placement and toe-in, it sometimes feel like the spatiality of every detail in the track can be traced... good example would be a drummer on the left rear side, a guitarist playing a tad forward as well, the singer smack in the middle, you get the idea...

Originally Posted by rded

Movies and programs watched on an GREAT 2-channel system will always outclass a mediocre 5/6/7.1 system

i think ive heard this before...

[JimShaw]

I find this thread very interesting and they only reason I am posting is to make sure I get to see all the thoughts that come across.

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by John72953

With quality components and a view to the future, 2CH Stereo for Blu-ray is a great experience and one you won't regret.

John

Hi John, once again we are on the same page here! Let me give everyone a rundown of my recent experience in going from a 5.1 blu-ray setup to a 2.1 blu-ray setup...

I recently sold my paradigm studio 100's, my center, and my surround speakers in order to acquire enough cash to buy my " dream " towers. This may seem like a large sacrifice in going from a 5 channel setup....to only 2 channels...but I can promise you that I made the right move

My front soundstage has improved by about 500% and I am still hearing sound everywhere in the room during movies.

My conclusion: For small rooms there is no need for a center or surrounds provided you have front towers that are capable of full range, high resolution output.

talk to ya soon,
B

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by rded

I have been flirting with and strongly considering the idea of trading my Center, surrounds speakers, AVR, crappy sub and do strictly 2 channel. Hahaha! I know my wife will love this idea as there are less speakers involed

I say GO FOR IT bro!

[digitalfilmlover]

Originally Posted by rded

Movies and programs watched on an GREAT 2-channel system will always outclass a mediocre 5/6/7.1 system

What's your definition of a mediocre 5/6/7.1 system?

[jomari]

Originally Posted by digitalfilmlover

What's your definition of a mediocre 5/6/7.1 system?

in a nutshell,

mediocre systems are home theater systems that you just 'plug and play' without considering proper placement, calibration, and/or technical detail as to how it should work interacting with your room environment.

of course, there are many other factors to consider when we want to achieve mediocrity.

[rded]

Originally Posted by tootall82103

rded,
What's your pick of components for a great 2 channel setup?

Hi Tootall,

Quite honestly, I am almost there as far as a kick ass 2-channel rig!

If it were up to me(excluding the wifey's input), I will have a Full NAIM with the HDX(media server) or better yet A full Burmester Stack with a Meridian Sooloo media server connected to a DAC plus my up coming Dynaudio Blue Sapphires of course. Add a Gyrodec or Linn LP-12 TT just for kicks.

[rded]

Originally Posted by jomari

i think ive heard this before...

Haha! You know you're talking to an audionut, right??!!!

Originally Posted by Krelldog1977

I say GO FOR IT bro!

I just might ...and get an Naim Stack or Octave Audio Tube separates The Burmester is too much $$$

Originally Posted by digitalfilmlover

What's your definition of a mediocre 5/6/7.1 system?

A HTIB or a system consisting of a receiver and satellite speakers. BTW, I have a receiver driving my system but in this case it doesn't apply

[Sith]

unacceptable blu ray experience...However I do agree that building a stereo
piece by piece, speaker by speaker is the way to go if money is an issue..In the long run it's better..