Is anyone expecting 5.1 channel music to take off soon?

Question

Like DVD audio or SACD? Is one or the other leading the industry?

I mean in terms of music reproduction vs stereo, and in terms of artists recording and being available in that format?

davj61: good points, and don't get me started on the lo-fi crap craze of internet music.

...ok, ya got me started! case in point: a friend of mine transfered all his cd's to 128kbps mp3 and then ditched his CDs!!! CRAZY I says! all so it could go onto an 80GB (or whatever) ipod. I mean ipods are cool, but to dump the source CDs? c'mon!

Answer 1

I beg to differ...audophiles myself are well aware of the possibilities of surround music and would enthusiastically embrace them but for two things:
1) Engineers do not know how to do surround music mixes. You are correct that a concert should be 'in front' of you but most mixes I've heard insist on scattering instruments and voices around the entire room. Note to engineers: I listen to a concert from the audience position, not the middle of the stage. You would think they'd have learned from the quad failure of the 70's that we want 'real' sound, not 'surreal'.
2) Ever since the proverbial Beta vs. VHS war, people such as myself have become reluctant to endorse a format that has direct competition. The consumer electronics industry has shot itself in the foot so many times due to proprietary formats and just plain greed that new technologies have become a catch-22; no one will buy them until they've caught on and they won't catch on till people buy them.

Answer 2

digital multi-channel music has been around for a LONG time, and if you just found out about it then that's just testament to how poorly the formats have taken off. in truth, some recordings sound fantastic. tel-dec does some neat stuff where they actually go to a location (like a church in germany where there's this huge pipe organ for toccatta + fugue in d minor) and place microphones around the place then mix the sound. it really sounds like you're there in the listening area, and not in the midst of the musicians. most dvd recordings are of classical music, but many of the more established artists or famous albums have recorded in 5.1. try best buy, circuit city, or on line for a suprisingly wide selection. it requires no special setup if you already have a surround-sound system in your home. most audiophiles do actually prefer stereo, so they can reproduce the effect of being in a crowd, and modify their listening rooms and speaker setups to accomodate their desires. they also prefer high fidelity recordings like from LP records. sacd is only for certain expensive sony sacd players, and i don't think it will ever catch on.

Answer 3

I have a feeling that SACD and DVD Audio was nearly doomed before it ever got to the runway (in a manner of speaking). Regular stereo is plenty good enough.
1) Many people (like myself) just aren't willing to go through the trouble of multi- channel hookup. All they want is the easiest way to play music when they press play.
2) Many people (like myself) like to take their music with them wherever they go. That means portable music systems and car audio.
3) Many people (like myself) want to record their favorite songs onto other media. SACD and DVD Audio will not allow that.
4) There is also the car stereo thunder crowd. They don't care about multi-channel. All they care about is LOUD BASS.
5) MANY people get most of there music off the Internet. Audio quality is irrelevant. They just want to hear that favorite song come hell or high water.

That's my take on multi-channel music. I rest my case.

Answer 4

Both have been around for awhile and neither has taken off like the original CD did. The biggest issue is that most true stereophiles who listen to music only listen in stereo. So the whole surround sound thing just never appealed to them for music. The idea is to produce a concert as best as you can. Concerts only project in one direction.

Answer 5

Give me a cd any day of the week .Most people that have used 5.1 . thinks there is something great about it .. its ok to watch a movie from the best buy system . .but when you live for music (stereo) you cant get the same sounds ..mfsl/ddc cds .most people don't know what they are .. then they see the price tag .. they wont buy them .. 5.1 is old . i tough is was like 7.1 now .. 5.1 and stereo are not the same to me anyway... 1000 dollar system from best buy ..cant touch a 20.000 dollar system from a audio store .. R night and day. you really have to love audio/ and the music to have this passion .. its not cheap //