Home cinema is dead

[Frank Harvey]

I'm not saying all this to sell systems, I'm saying this as a long time home theatre enthusiast. If a 2.1 channel system could give me what I get from my 7.1 system, I'd do it. But I haven't. Because there isn't. And it can't.

 

[Anonymous]

a full 5.1 set-up is much better than stereo for movies, of that there is no doubt, now if you're not really into home cinema, as i assume chebby isnt, then you may not agree, but you would be wrong

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
David, why am I suprised that you - as a dealer - favour systems where a £2k AV amp/receiver (at least) is required instead of a £500 stereo amp, where 5 or 7 speakers (and a sub) are required instead of 2, and where (at least) three times more sets of speaker cables (of much longer lengths) are necessary?

Can you honestly say the 'Kerrching factor' of 5.1 and 7.1 AV is not swaying your opinion one jot?

Unless one employs the services of a specialist installation company (along with a plasterer and decorator and electrician), the average living room is rendered ugly by 6 (or 8) speakers with all the concomitant wiring, brackets, stands, AV racks etc. Not just ugly but - in the the case of smaller rooms - virtually unusable for anything other than watching TV.

chebby i think you're being unfair here, my av receiver cost e400, not £2000, home cinema can be got for small money these days, and you dont need plasterers, specialist installation, decorators, electricians, and many systems are discrete and unobtrusive, if you dont appreciate home cinema thats one thing, but come on, many do, and david is very helpful to those that ask about it on this forum, to be fair..

 

[chebby]

I love films but don't like (or need) a truckful of gear to enjoy them.

Effects driven movies don't do much for me either.

 

[Anonymous]

a truckful

.. have you heard of kef eggs ?

of course you have, anyways, horses for courses

 

[Frank Harvey]

I agree that a strong film can be watched in stereo, even mono, and will still be as watchable. But a multi-channel speaker system enhances the experience. I will admit there are some movies out there that are overdone as far as audio is concerned, but it's the movies that use all 5 or 7 speakers in a more subtle way that I find more enjoyable.

 

[chebby]

maxflinn:chebby:...where a £2k AV amp/receiver (at least) is required instead of a £500 stereo amp,..

chebby i think you're being unfair here, my av receiver cost e400, not £2000, home cinema can be got for small money these days, and you dont need plasterers, specialist installation, decorators, electricians, and many systems are discrete and unobtrusive, if you dont appreciate home cinema thats one thing, but come on, many do, and david is very helpful to those that ask about it on this forum, to be fair..

Oh where do I start?

To get the quality of a £500 stereo amp scaled up to 5.1 or 7.1 then you are going to need at least a £2k AV receiver.

You will need electricians and plasterer and installation experts (and some decorating afterwards) IF you don't want your living room to look like a cross between a wiring loom and a loudspeaker showroom, and if you are not trained in all the relevant trades yourself.

Otherwise it destroys the aesthetics of a nice living room/family room (it's function too if the living room is on the small side) for all but those who like the look of AV equipment.

 

[chebby]

Anyway, a debate with David is one thing but...

I'm done in this thread.

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
maxflinn:chebby:...where a £2k AV amp/receiver (at least) is required instead of a £500 stereo amp,..

chebby i think you're being unfair here, my av receiver cost e400, not £2000, home cinema can be got for small money these days, and you dont need plasterers, specialist installation, decorators, electricians, and many systems are discrete and unobtrusive, if you dont appreciate home cinema thats one thing, but come on, many do, and david is very helpful to those that ask about it on this forum, to be fair..

Oh where do I start?

To get the quality of a £500 stereo amp scaled up to 5.1 or 7.1 then you are going to need at least a £2k AV receiver.

You will need electricians and plasterer and installation experts (and some decorating afterwards) IF you don't want your living room to look like a cross between a wiring loom and a loudspeaker showroom and if you are not trained in all the relevant trades yourself.

Otherwise it destroys the aesthetics of a nice living room/family room (their function too if the living room is on the small side) for all but those who like the look of AV equipment.

but avr's are designed for movies, why would you buy a £2k avr to get half decent stereo sound? ive got one that cost e400, with pre-outs, and a e100 stereo amp, and ive got the best of both worlds, the argument that avr's are too expensive dont stack up..

if you want to hide cables then yes, you may need to chase a wall here and there, and do a bit of making good, but whats wrong with that? its not difficult, or expensive..

sure, having home cinema does mess up a room, id love to have my tv tucked away neatly in the corner, and have none of the rest of the stuff in the room too, but thats a compromise im prepared to make, i do understand those that wont though, its like anything, personal choice..

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
Anyway, a debate with David is one thing but...

I'm done in this thread.

Thanks.

i was debating too, but....

 

[professorhat]

If someone prefers watching movies in stereo, than that's a perfect system for them. I personally prefer watching them in full 5.1 - it immerses you in the movie, and, in my experience, it's not just action blockbusters that it enhances the experience for - virtually all movies are enhanced with it, even if in a very subtle manner.

However, me trying to convince someone who prefers movies in stereo that 5.1 is better is about as pointless as said person trying to convince me that movies are better in stereo than they are in 5.1 - clearly we're going to disagree!

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

chebby:

Effects driven movies don't do much for me either.

You do not need crash bang to enjoy surround sound. A good quality system will deliver an involvement in the movie that you wouldn't acheive with two speakers. Simply dialogue based films still deliver space,caputre the room surface, floor texture, wind noise to great effect. Watch 3:10 to Yuma or Dogville and you will see what I am on about.

Most people have been sold the idea of a £300 all in one system the doesn't do subtle so you can only benefit for the volume and bass you see in an action film. This is like comparing a £99 iPod dock to a decent Hi-Fi set up - why would you want one of those.........

 

[Anonymous]

chebby, come on , this is a good thread, i only disagreed with you, i apoligise if that annoyed you, it wasnt meant to..

come on, get posting again, i was enjoying reading what you had to say..

 

[Frank Harvey]

A forum is for sharing information and ideas, and of course, ever now and again you'll get conflicting information or opinions, but it's this that makes forums interesting and gets some stimulating conversation going.

 

[Anonymous]

Out with DTS-HDMA, and bring back Nicam!! What a great thread started by 1 comment from a guy who left it well alone after!!

Hee Hee

 

[FunkyMonkey]

When I first got my PS3, I only had a 2 channel system - basically my hifi system.

Anyway, I managed to get hold of an old 5.1 receiver (one fo the first Sony DD/DTS ones), and compare.

Blu Rays in hi-res 2 channel PCM sounded better on my 2 channel hifi system than the lossy and relatively inaccurate 5.1 reproduction in DD/DTS via the odl amp.

There was much more detail in the PCM lossless, even in 2 channel, and it sounded more natural even though there was no surround.

However, with my newer Onkyo receiver, even lossy 5.1 sounds better than lossless 2.0.

If anyone has any doubts as to the merits of 5.1, please listen to Book of Eli on Blu Ray. Simply astounding.

 

[Frank Harvey]

FunkyMonkey:If anyone has any doubts as to the merits of 5.1, please listen to Book of Eli on Blu Ray. Simply astounding.

Good pic and sound on that movie

 

[Dan.m]

In theory, would you rather watch/listen to blu rays and 'normal" TV viewing on a 5.1 soundbar (e.g. yamaha 4100) or a good stereo set up for similar money (this could include the AVI neutrons)? I am interested in improving the sound on my TV but a full surround set up is not an option.

 

[Sliced Bread]

Dan.m:In theory, would you rather watch/listen to blu rays and 'normal" TV viewing on a 5.1 soundbar (e.g. yamaha 4100) or a good stereo set up for similar money (this could include the AVI neutrons)? I am interested in improving the sound on my TV but a full surround set up is not an option.

The two produce a very different sound, so it really would be personal preference. The soundbar sits below the tv so you'll have less of an issue with the 'sweet spot', but a stereo amp will sound more natural. Plus the stereo amp can be used for music to much better effect than a soundbar.

Personally I'd go stereo, but it depends on your needs/tastes. A soundbar is even smaller than a stereo setup, if that is important to you!

 

[bigboss]

I think the bottomline is, hi-fi enthusiasts prefer watching movies in stereo sound, while home cinema enthusiasts like me prefer a full 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. 2 speakers just cannot create the effect of you "being there".

 

[grdunn123]

I totally agree! Movie soundtracks were encoded for surround sound - why would you want to listen in stereo?? Might as well watch in black and white while you're at it!

 

[chebby]

grdunn123:Might as well watch in black and white while you're at it!

Yeah, because nothing worth watching ever got made in black & white.

Sheesh! (Polite version of what I actually just said.)

 

[grdunn123]

No, not a great deal!

 

[Dave_]

What a pointless thread - I do what suits me and my situation, and couldn't care less what peoples thoughts are on the pros/cons of stereo v multichannel set-ups.

 

[grdunn123]

I think you knew exactly what I meant.....listening in stereo to something which was intended to be used in multi channel audio is akin to turning the colour down on the SAME movie to watch it in black and white....Sheesh!! Come on Chebby, read things before you send an inane reply.