Sound bar 3.1 compared to 2.1 for clearest dialogue

[Snooker]

I have a 2.1 Yamaha sound bar SRC20A which does not have a dedicated centre channel for speech, is speech on a 3.1 about the same slightly better or significantly better, I would guess that there is only a slight difference regarding the clearest sound, and can you get a 2.1 actually sounding better than a 3.1 ?

 

[Messiah]

Can you get a 2.1 actually sounding better than a 3.1 ?

I guess the simplest answer here is yes but there is more to it.

Getting a 3.1 soundbar simply because it is a 3.1 soundbar is no guarantee it will be better than a 2.1 soundbar. The soundbar would still need to be well designed, built etc.

I assume (so can you confirm) that you are struggling with speech?

Do you run the soundbar in any particular mode - stereo or surround etc?

Out of interest (and on the assumption that you are struggling with speech) have you ever connected your Denon/KEF combo to the TV to see how that sounds in comparison?

 

[Snooker]

Thanks for your reply

I think the sound bar is ok, as in real life some people are harder to hear than others and for example question time on the BBC etc is fine, also I am now 61 so my ears are not as good as once was

I was just curious, people would generally say a 3.1 sounds clearer but I think this would only be about the same or slightly better when you have two good 3.1 & 2,1 sound bars set up, and according to yourself you can get a 2.1 sounding better than a 3.1, so is the difference really just very slightly better with a 3.1 ?

 

[Messiah]

Is the difference really just very slightly better with a 3.1 ?

Difficult for me to say in any definitive way as my experience with soundbars is very limited.

But, I would imagine if you had 2 similar costing soundbars from reputable manufactures, I doubt there would be a night and day difference.

For me, the difference between 2 or 3 channels at the front really comes into its own when using surround sound. To get a nice spread of sound you need a decent amount of space between the left and right channels (and the TV) and the centre is used to lock the dialogue to the TV (as well as integrate with the overall sound).

However, given the size of your average soundbar, there is not a lot of room to make a massive difference when using 2 or 3 speakers across the front as you simply cannot get that physical separation.

 

[Snooker]

I suppose thinking about it, as all the sound frequencies get mixed together in the air before entering the ear that the dialogue between a 2.1 and 3.1 would in fact sound about the same, the only difference I have since found out on Chat GPT is that when you alter the bass control on a 2.1 sound bar it can slightly muddy the bass of a male persons voice where as with a 3.1 system the dialogue is unaffected, but as we all know the overall quality of dialogue mainly comes down to how good the particular film sound recording is in the first place

 

[daytona600]

Decent / Quality speakers 1 or 2 will always sound better than a Soundbar

 

[ultraminiature]

I have a 2.1 Yamaha sound bar SRC20A which does not have a dedicated centre channel for speech, is speech on a 3.1 about the same slightly better or significantly better, I would guess that there is only a slight difference regarding the clearest sound, and can you get a 2.1 actually sounding better than a 3.1 ?

When I started experimenting into surround I got five identical passive speakers and a 5 channel power amplifier and a B&W PV1 sub-woofer. The advantage to me of a separate centre channel is being able to boost it over that of the front channels in a very simple way. A good sound bar or AV receiver will do that but creating that centre channel from two front speakers is more of a compromise.

They used to re-record dialogue on moves to get a clearer sound. Now they more often rely upon modern microphones recorded at the time with background noise in the mix. What ever it is, many films have a more muddled dialogue than they used to. If that dialogue is on a centre channel I have also preferred a separate centre channel to adjust than 4.1 or 2.1 set ups.

I went to using four Meridian D600 floor standing speakers and a centre channel M60C with the PV1. They are getting old now and the electronics needing more service. I recently got WiSA speakers (a wireless system similar to wi-fi but on different frequencies) and an Axiim Link transmitter from my computer. I am still using the Meridian M60C centre channel because it is awesome and have added a B&O Receiver 1 for WiSA. The set up is not the recommended B&O way but worked easier than I thought and I am satisfied with the control features from the computer and the mobile phone app. I do have 6 speakers for it and not tried to go from 5.1 to 4.0, 3.1 or 2.1 to see if I am still getting all the sound re-directed or not. I doubt those who claim you don't need a centre channel or with large front channel speakers with a good bass don't need a sub.

As always your ears, your budget, your choice as the system only has to satisfy you and your family.