Author Topic: 5.1 vs 2.1 (Read 7213 times)

qguy · « **on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 05:38 AM »

Been watching movies in 2.1 since the beginning of time

For those with 5.1 or more, what would you rate the difference between having surrounds and not having one ? if having a sub is 10 and not having a sub is a 0, how would you rate the surrounds ?

comet · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 06:36 AM »

sa akin lang sir ha it's 7-8 pero you add more channels(9-11)and it's gonna be close to 10. love the soundstage more channels give. imo lang sir.

meat_eater · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 07:41 AM »

For some movies, like transformers 1-3 and underworld movies, the difference is literally night and day.

For some which are more dialogue oriented there is a difference in panning of the voices as you go left to right and front to back, but not as much as some movies like transformers where you have scenes where all 5 channels work at the same time producing different sounds and effects - This in my opinion is when a dedicated center truly shines, because most if not all of the dialogue are directed to that channel.

I have experience with 5.2 and 7.2 only, I cant speak for the Atmos layout, but I'm sure there's some difference, small or big

For movies with lots of "effects" - 10
For dialogue heavy movies - 6

Cheers

qguy · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 08:36 AM »

If I were to remove either the subwoofer or Surrounds, which one would you remove ?

meat_eater · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 08:40 AM »

Quote from: qguy on Feb 18, 2015 at 08:36 AM

If I were to remove either the subwoofer or Surrounds, which one would you remove ?

For me, the surrounds

Narayan · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 08:56 AM »

Quote from: meat_eater on Feb 18, 2015 at 08:40 AM

For me, the surrounds

+1

comet · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 08:58 AM »

It's difficult to part with either kung sanay ka na sa dalawa, may disability na

, add na lang

DTNS · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 09:33 AM »

I think for a home theater setup, it's important to have a subwoofer (for LFE) and a center channel (for dialog).

I tried a 2.1 setup before with my HK AVR 265, GoldenEar Aon 3, and SVS PB1000. movies don't sound complete without a center/ dialog channel.

that said, you could probably do without surrounds, but not without a sub and a center.

crazyhog · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 09:44 AM »

Quote from: meat_eater on Feb 18, 2015 at 08:40 AM

For me, the surrounds

LFE > Surround. paminsan un surround di mo marinig or ma appreciate. Pero in LFE, ramdam mo talaga. Mas kakaenjoy xa.

.

fattyacid · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 10:32 AM »

I tried listening to 3.1, walang surround kasi tinamad akong I setup. Sobrang tahimik. Kung 5.1ch audio, convert na lang to stereo or 2.1 kung wala namang surround, para walang audio loss.

luis · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 10:57 AM »

for HT, it's really an advantage to have a 5.1 set up at the minimum regardless of the room size.

2.1 HT set-up may work also for small rooms pero iba pa rin yung 5.1.

Oldboyracer · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 12:19 PM »

The difference between 2.1 & 5.1/7.1 is as meat_eater stated night & day. I could not even comprehend going back to a 2 channel set up but then again that's just me. If you are thinking about altering your system & funds are not available then work out a plan to do it a bit at a time. As long as you get there in the end that is all that matters

backdraft · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 07:56 PM »

if 5.1 is not attainable at this time. maybe you can start with 3.1 muna. at least mag center channel ka muna.

zram18 · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 08:05 PM »

bakit wala kasing 3.1 sa choices?

it should be 5.1 vs 3.1 vs 2.1

qguy · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 08:13 PM »

Quote from: zram18 on Feb 18, 2015 at 08:05 PM

bakit wala kasing 3.1 sa choices?

it should be 5.1 vs 3.1 vs 2.1

its not there, coz, I do not have a need for the center channel as when I watch I am dead center between the left and right speakers.

dodie · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 08:43 PM »

saken chief, kung mga 2 hanggang tatlong metro lang layo ng left and right speaker mo, tapos naka toe in pa..dapat maganda ang imaging, dapat sesentro. yung malalaki mong sub hindi dapat mawala

pangit pag wala talaga eh

dapat kayang macompensate ng magaling magimage na speaker yung absence ng center speaker..kung mga 5 metro na ang distance nung dalawa eh bka kailangan na ng aid ng center channel. pero yung mga speaker na 2 metro lang ang layo sa isat isa tapos hindi sumentro ang dialogue...malamang pangit yun speaker, dun klangan na talaga ng center para hindi malakihan ng gastos at magpalit pa uli ng left and right

2.1 will suffice kung maliit lang yung viewing room mo tapos very close pa yung left and right channel mo...but the question is, will you be satisfied if your not hearing everything that should come from your surroundings? at ang end result kuha ka na din ng center at surround tapos dagdag ka na naman ng point 1. ayun naging point 2 na.

tapos bigla kang magtataka master Q, yung point 2 mo may karugtong nang point 4....naging 5.2.4 na! lumaki na ang gastos

DTNS · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 18, 2015 at 09:09 PM »

Quote from: Dodie on Feb 18, 2015 at 08:43 PM

saken chief, kung mga 2 hanggang tatlong metro lang layo ng left and right speaker mo, tapos naka toe in pa..dapat maganda ang imaging, dapat sesentro. yung malalaki mong sub hindi dapat mawala pangit pag wala talaga eh dapat kayang macompensate ng magaling magimage na speaker yung absence ng center speaker..kung mga 5 metro na ang distance nung dalawa eh bka kailangan na ng aid ng center channel. pero yung mga speaker na 2 metro lang ang layo sa isat isa tapos hindi sumentro ang dialogue...malamang pangit yun speaker, dun klangan na talaga ng center para hindi malakihan ng gastos at magpalit pa uli ng left and right

totoo ito. na-experience to sa 4.1 setup ko dati (no center channel). ang laking kakulangan sa movie experience pag walang center channel! $:-\$

speed_kills · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 19, 2015 at 02:20 PM »

How about 5.1 vs 7.1?

For most hi res downloaded content or PS4 gaming, is there a real benefit in 7.1 ?

Or invest in a better 5.1 system nalang?

comet · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 19, 2015 at 07:51 PM »

sir day and night difference mas lalo na 9.1, di ko pa naitry ang 11.1 or atmos

zram18 · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 19, 2015 at 07:56 PM »

for large room, you can appreciate 7.1,9.1,11.1 kahit 11.2 at kahit yung dolby atmos pa (yun and di ko pa naexperience).

pero kung small or average room lang naman sa haws nyo, for me 5.1 is already enough.

otherwise, baka hiwalayan ka na ng misis mo pag nakita nya ang napakadaming speakers sa salas nyo.

Oldboyracer · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 21, 2015 at 05:31 PM »

Quote from: qguy on Feb 18, 2015 at 08:13 PM

its not there, coz, I do not have a need for the center channel as when I watch I am dead center between the left and right speakers.

Sounds like you are using a stereo amp & not an AV receiver so the soundtrack is not being decoded. May I suggest you audition a 5.1/7.1 system with a soundtrack you are are familiar with then you can evaluate what you have at present against the auditioned system.

speed_kills · « **Reply #21 on:** Feb 23, 2015 at 05:19 PM »

Quote from: zram18 on Feb 19, 2015 at 07:56 PM

for large room, you can appreciate 7.1,9.1,11.1 kahit 11.2 at kahit yung dolby atmos pa (yun and di ko pa naexperience).

pero kung small or average room lang naman sa haws nyo, for me 5.1 is already enough.

I'm curious, which room sizes are generally considered small, medium, or large?

Thanks!

bejiboys · « **Reply #22 on:** Feb 23, 2015 at 06:03 PM »

My personal and subjective take, Impact in order of impact precedence
2.1: 2.0 add sub: impact =10 (per TS. however, if full range floor stander, might not be as impactful)
3.1: 2.1 add center; impact = 7
5.1: 3.1 add surrounds; impact = 3
7.1: 5.1 add rear surrounds; impact = 2

My room size: 19' x 17'

Change 50' plasma to 120" projection screen: impact = 10++ (sorry, OT)

jeffry10 · « **Reply #23 on:** Mar 08, 2015 at 08:02 AM »

qguy. why don't you watch in a good 5.1 setup so you know what you're missing.

jeffry10 · « **Reply #24 on:** Mar 08, 2015 at 08:02 AM »

try your reference movies

.

even if you're dead center. iba pa rin yung may dedicated center. you get deeper voices. also. surrounds add the ambient effects that make you feel like you're there.

even if you had 2 million peso speakers you wouldn't get that real surround effect. IMHO lang.

zonks · « **Reply #25 on:** Mar 08, 2015 at 08:06 AM »

yup big improvement if may center ka, hindi na naghahabol yung leeg mo kung san malakas or malinaw ang vocals.

jeffry10 · « **Reply #26 on:** Mar 08, 2015 at 08:37 AM »

Now kung yung kagandahan ng amplifier habol bat di mo na lang yung kagandahan ng experience watching in surround. You don't have to take it to the top 20.4.. Just good 5.1.

sientobente · « **Reply #27 on:** Mar 08, 2015 at 10:05 AM »

Got a separate 2.1 setup from my 5.2 set. In watching movies, it still leaves me a lot to desire in upgrading it to 5.1. The surround feel is lacking, voices, special fx, background music gets cluttered on your speakers. Lack of adjustment in center volume control is frustrating specially if you're watching a movie with a difficult accent to comprehend. These are noticable if you play DTS/DD 5.1 encoded movies.

Tempter · « **Reply #28 on:** Mar 08, 2015 at 11:35 PM »

2.1 to 5.1???

its like Zero to Hero...

Will never go back!

speed_kills · « **Reply #29 on:** Mar 09, 2015 at 02:04 AM »

This is a bit OT but given a similar budget, will a set of really good 5.1 speakers be better than a 7.2 in a 25sqm movie area?

I'm thinking in terms of quantity/quality ratio, like whether to spread the budget to more speakers or getting better ones but fewer speakers.