Question Choosing audio tracks for a 2.1 audio system

[Corpus_Chain]

Hi folks,
I have a stereo audio system for my TV setup. It's a Marantz amp and Mission speakers, and the blu-ray is connected to the amp via a digital connection. I was wondering: when I play a movie, and there is a choice of 5.1 and stereo soundtracks, should I choose the stereo option?

I don't know much about film soundtrack mixing, but I assumed the stereo mix would be a bespoke mix by the film's sound team, designed to optimise the audio for a stereo system, and would be superior to choosing the 5.1 and allowing my devices to do the downmixing to stereo. But is the opposite true? Does differ for older and newer films, or is it individual to each disc?

What do you think?

 

[Jasonovich]

Personally, If I'm listening to music on my *Denon AV, I would switch it to 'multi channel stereo'. This allows operation of all the speakers in stereo format. Ensuring I select the Pure/Direct option.

Movies, I would switch back to my 7:1 format, the receiver would default to the appropriate codec, Atmos, Dolby, DTS etc.

In movie format the frequency range is more polarised, more crash bang wallop on the lows, and screaming treble like the sound of the bullet ricocheting off from Captain America's shield.
This doesn't work well on music, if you're looking for more realism and nuance from your music.


*source: Aune digital media player, Denon CD/SACD player, Panasonic 4K UHD Blu-ray player.

 

[abacus]

If you only have the stereo amp, then if the option is available, select Stereo on the disc, as it is mixed specifically for a 2 channel system, otherwise leave as is.

Bill

 

[Corpus_Chain]

Thanks for your reply. That's what I was thinking. It's good to know that others agree!