limited budget, 2.1 better than 5.1?

[venturer]

Let said already have a small 32” LCD TV using mostly as a computer monitor. The computer has a SB Audigy 4 sound card. Like to turn this system into a HT. Which option offer the most value for sound quality?

 

1.) Using a 2 channel integrated amplifier + 2 speakers + sub

2.) AV Receiver + 5 speakers + sub

 

My feeling is that for the same amount of money, integrated amplifier is better that AV Receiver. Can also allocate more money to 2 better speakers rather than spread out to 5 speakers.

 

However, is it true that surround sound produce the best movie experience?

My thinking, not sure true or not, if new movies are master in multi channel, most sound effect will be lost in the 2 channel sound track? If like this it seems option 2 is the way to go to watch movie?

 

[armoury]

You are asking to compare apples to oranges.

 

Dollar for dollar, the sound quality of a 2-channel stereo integrated amp will be better than a 5.1 (or 7.1) receiver of the same price.  No surprise there, since the money for the 2-channel amp is going into only 2 channels of amplification, rather than 5 (or 7).  But by definition your 2-channel stereo amp is limited to, well, 2 channels.  And obviously 2 speakers for the same price as six (don't forget the subwoofer) will produce better quality sound.

 

Whether you will prefer a more immersive surround sound experience that 5.1 provides, or a higher quality audio coming out of just two channels, is something only you can answer depending on your preferences.  If you listen to a lot of music, or watch movies/TV shows that are dialog and music heavy, and light on effects or action, it may well be that you won't miss a 5.1 environment, in which case the higher quality audio coming out of a stereo pair will give you more enjoyment.  Others who like action movies, like to hear bullets or missiles whizzing from front to back, explosions from behind etc, will want the 5.1 surround effect. 

 

Does your soundcard decode DD5.1?  A cheap way would be to output that to a modest 5.1 (or 4.1) setup, e.g Cambridge Soundworks speakers.  Or if you want a dedicated setup, home-theatre-in-a-box (HTiB) sets are quite affordable nowadays, with a full 5.1 setup going for below $300, although what kind of quality you get with Akira or Enzer is another matter.  Even with reputable brands like Pioneer, I think it's below $600 these days.

[Quest88]

Yup, his card decodes DD5.1 and DTS. :) Obviously the best/cheapest choice is to go for some multimedia speakers which can sound good. There are plenty of options for either 2.1 and 5.1 either way, from brands like logitech or creative even.

 

If you are a PC user, I would think quite alot of the stuff u tend to watch/listen to are downloaded in 2 channel, so that may be better for you. This is just based on my personal experience cos I catered my system for movies but I only use my sub and surround less than 5% of the time now.

[SiriuslyCold]

Quest if you die die want to use the sub and surrounds, you can always hit Dolby PLII ;D

[Quest88]

Quest if you die die want to use the sub and surrounds, you can always hit Dolby PLII ;D

hehe my soundcard can encode also, but it just doesn't sound right to my ears. :P