Do you have separate two-channel and home-theater systems?

The times they are a changing, and many audiophiles have added video to their audio system. Others have kept their two-channel systems intact by creating separate home-theater systems. How about you?

Do you have separate two-channel and home-theater systems?
Yes, I have a two-channel and a home theater system
39% (185 votes)
Kind of: I have a system for two-channel and another for everything else
8% (36 votes)
My two-channel system is all I use for music and home theater
19% (92 votes)
I listen to everything on my multichannel system
12% (56 votes)
I don't have a home theater system
17% (82 votes)
I only have a multichannel audio system
2% (8 votes)
Other
3% (15 votes)
Total votes: 474

COMMENTS
John Smith's picture

By separating two-chanel audio and home theater (5.1 or 6.1), a better sound is obtained for each. However, the use of DTS NEO6 can make a stereo track sound amazing on a home theater system.

Jeff Partyka's picture

Both systems are two-channel, actually ... But I keep one system in a dedicated listening room for music, and the other in the living room with the TV, VCR, DVD player, etc. (and a second turntable).

dbf's picture

I used to squeeze both systems into my small living room. I traded my 2 ch preamp for a pretty good receiver, keeping the same 2 ch amp and speakers. This works well for the theater and is nearly good enough for music.

Michael Finnedt's picture

My two chanel system is for serious listening. I have two other TV's that are set up with home theater receivers, and speakers w/subwoofers. However these are moderately priced compared to my two chanel system.

Ron's picture

I don't really care that much about the sound quality when I watch movies so I have not bothered to set up a home theater. I have a dedicated listening room for music, but I have not integrated any video in it.

Tim Wolfe's picture

Thanks to the manual that came with my old, now history, Lexicon CP3 surround processor...I've found I can have the best of both worlds right in the same room! In the manual, they diagramed how you can hookup a surround proessor or receiver(as long as it has pre-outs and you're using seperate amps) through the tape monitor loop of your 2channel preamp. It works great. When I want to just listen to pure two-channel music through my db Systems preamp, I keep the tape monitor switch off. When watching DVDs or listening to DVD Audio/DTS discs I just hit the Tape Mon switch and set volume on my db preamp to a pre-set reference level that matches the other channels. Main volume is then controlled by my home theater receiver!

macksman's picture

I have a truly most excellent music system with, properly, two speakers (Wilson-Benesch). My Sony television has a speaker on each side and a "sub-woofer" on the top in back for all the home theater we'll ever need. Hey, folks, it's TV!!!

Fred Huff's picture

I once had a Denon-based Dolby Pro-Logic system. When I looked into upgrading to DVD, I discovered I would be downgrading the music. I sold the Denon system and bought Arcam's Alpha 7 integrated amp and CD player. I have since added a DVD player. It does OK with soundtracks, but it's terrible with CDs. Sound quality is more important to me in music than in movies.

Dennis Liavas's picture

My HT is a 27"TY with a very old VCR. I got a cheap DVD player from COSTO. Its more than I need. My two-channel is better. Roksan amp and CD player with MIT cables and Spendor S6 floorstanders. I listen to music for two to three hours a day. I watch news on TV for less than an hour a day. Who needs home theater?

Jack Lundrigan's picture

I can live without TV, but I can't live without music.

Heshie's picture

My two-channel system is dedicated to reference listening of vinyl LPs, tapes and cds whereas the home theatre is only used for DVD, VHF & TV viewing.

Gridley Sam's picture

Utilize Hafler's four channel set-up for both audio-n-video! Recently got a Marantz MR-235 for the front speakers,& a Sony 6800 SD powers the rears! There is a subtle sonic difference between music(cd,vinyl,& tape) & video(tv & VHS,haven't gone DVD yet) requirements,& those late 70's relics do a fine job replicating them!

Doug Cline's picture

Two systems, two rooms, two user groups. Occasionally two warring factions!

V.  Glew's picture

I have my private system in my den/sound room and we have an old receiver and a couple old speakers for when we want more noise with a movie. But I couldn't look you straight in the eye and call it a theater system. I guess its sorta obvious I'm not a big video nut. Just a Wingnut (Redwings, the NHL, the Stanley Cup). Eat your hearts out.

Kevin Flippo's picture

Since they are two differernt listening expirences, they require two different setups.

Frank's picture

It's a real tough game to combine home theater with two-channel without sacrificing the sound of one or other. At last, I came up with two-channel and home theater separated.

Herb's picture

I have my two-channel and then my HT/MP3/Workstation. Never got around to getting a TV (don't think they will really catch on in a big way and don't think they are good enough yet). Movies on a monitor is the only way to go. Then again movies are not all that great either. The regular stereo is still the best. Yeah, I will go now and listen to it some more.

Tony R.  Harrison Sr.'s picture

I don't own a home theater system, only 2 channel audio and have no plans or desire to purchase one. I have listened to a number of home theater system set-ups in specialty home theater shops, hi-end shops, home theater and audio shows and in friends homes. While I find some home theater systems better than others, they are often not much more then "loud TV". Ultimately, its simply unconvincing and doesn't grab me nor command my attention the way that 2 channel audio does routinely.

Graeme Nattress's picture

Using your normal hi-fi for movie sound works great, and you get the added bonus of no distracting sounds coming from behind you!

Thomas's picture

I have a TV, which is only used for the news. It's about the same size as the screen on my laptop. The colors were pretty f***ed up the last time I used it. I had placed two midwoofers with seriously powerful magnets on the shelf underneath it. This is definitely not recommended.

Trevor's picture

This is something that has come up for me lately and from an economic view it is more viable to just purchase a new set of two channel speakers and utilize that never touched a/b channel switch on my reciever.

datman's picture

I believe that superior two-channel audio and surround sound video are mutually exclusive. This is a result of quite a bit of experimentation on my part. Basically, the performance demands of the two systems are different enough that combining them into one system would severely compromise the sound and functionality of both.

Anonymous's picture

Nor do I want one.

Mark Andrews's picture

My wife is a home theater enthusiast and my main interest is two-channel stereo. So I built my system this past year around both. For front main speakers I chose B&W nautilus 801s powered by a Krell FPB600c using the new Krell home theater 7.1 with an anolog pass through which shuts down all digital domains. A B&W Nautilus center and signature rears are used for 5.1, powered by the new krell kav 250-3. It sounds marvelous in both two- and multi-channel. With this system I don't believe I compromised my preference, while leaving plenty of room for future format changes.

DeMan's picture

My two channel is a 4 channel Quad system, and I also have a home theater system

Mike's picture

No I am not rich. I have a single system for everything but It dies enclude a dual mono block amp that is fed thru my receiver's pre amp outs that I use for Two channel music.

Kenster's picture

The only way to maximize musicality is with a dedicated 2 channel system. To be totally ingulfed in the cinematic experience one needs to focus on maximizing his/her home theater. Of course if the current trend in the industry continues....we will all be listening to music on multi-channel systems. I for one will do all I can to keep 2 channel alive.

Mike McC's picture

I hate TV, and if I want to watch a movie, I go to the theater. My great love, other than my soul-mate, is music, and 2 channels is enough for me. Boy, that makes me sound like an anachronistic curmudgeon - I love it!

Hector E.  Pedrosa's picture

I tried a multichannel system, but the use of just one subwoofer destroys the imaging. Until multichannel systems use stereo subwoofers I will stick to my current system.

Craig & Chris Ewing's picture

We have a nice two channel system with a TV between the speakers,for watching Stevie Ray Vaughan DVD's and no need for anything else.

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