[mritschdorff]

The first time I listened to the SoundScape 12’s was in the basement of Jim’s home.  After ten minutes of listening to them, I knew I had to have them.  The next question would be, how would I raise the funds to make it happen?
At this particular point in time, I had a fairly decent home theater system, but felt myself drifting away from HT and moving toward a two channel system. So I made the decision to go “all in” with a two channel system and sell all of my HT gear and begin with the SS12’s as the foundation of my two channel system.

 Recently, I viewed the Bourne Ultimatum and was extremely impressed with the quality of sound they produced.  Voices were full and natural and positioned precisely on the screen as if there were a center channel present.  The soundstage extended beyond the sides of the speakers as well as in front of them. Intricate sound effects were coherent and defined.  Low bass passages were very good and having a sub woofer would augment the lower bass but I don’t find myself missing it at all.  And sure, surround speakers create a nifty ambient effect, but having bullets whiz by my ears, just doesn’t seem to be that important to me anymore (I must be getting old). 

Occasionally, I have the opportunity to listen to exceptional HT systems (Big Red Machine’s system is very nice) and I am tempting to ask Jim to build a center, sub and a pair of surrounds.  But, for now the SoundScapes execute HT duties and two channel listening flawlessly and any funds that I was tempting in investing in HT speakers (sorry Jim) will be allocated toward upgrading my amp and pre-amp. 

Just my two cents worth of how extraordinary and versatile Jim’s speakers are.

[kingdeezie]

Great news!

I do not have Salk speakers, but recently did a very similar experiment to what you are talking about here.

I am significantly happier with a two channel setup, even for HT. Are you still using a receiver?

I ditched the mass market junk, and am now having my sources decode lossless audio through my PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC, and the sound is even better.

I would stick with your inclination to use the money for a better amp, preamp, and a DAC. I think you will be happier this way.

Good luck. 

[ctviggen]

If all you have is two channels, I'd miss the total immersion of multiple channels.  I have both a two channel (Linn based) and 7 channel (Salk/Emotiva based) and wouldn't think of watching the two channel system on anything with action.  (Assuming I could use the 7 channel area -- sometimes It's easier to watch 2 channels due to the location, upstairs near the bedrooms with children, than the 7 channels, which is downstairs away from the children.) 

[kingdeezie]

If all you have is two channels, I'd miss the total immersion of multiple channels.  I have both a two channel (Linn based) and 7 channel (Salk/Emotiva based) and wouldn't think of watching the two channel system on anything with action.  (Assuming I could use the 7 channel area -- sometimes It's easier to watch 2 channels due to the location, upstairs near the bedrooms with children, than the 7 channels, which is downstairs away from the children.)

Once you get your equipment dialed in and synergistically working together, there is no loss of immersion IME.

My soundstage is completely three dimensional, with sounds coming above, below, and almost completely around me. 

Coming through the DAC, and run strictly through my Purity One preamp, and Manley Neo Classic 250's, the sound QUALITY is head and shoulders above any mass market receiver or processor I have heard. Voices are extremely natural, and there is dynamics and transient speed in spades. There is a completely loss of the muddledness that comes with mass market consumer electronics and a myriad of speakers crammed into one room.

It might be possible to match the sound quality with something like a Classe, Mcintosh, or Anthem processor, but IMO, with the rapid advances in technology, spending 8-12K on a processor is wasted money when HDMI 1.XX comes out and becomes a requirement. I would rather spend that money on maxing out my two channel capabilities, and enjoying better overall sound quality.

 

[mritschdorff]

Great news!

I do not have Salk speakers, but recently did a very similar experiment to what you are talking about here.

I am significantly happier with a two channel setup, even for HT. Are you still using a receiver?

I ditched the mass market junk, and am now having my sources decode lossless audio through my PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC, and the sound is even better.

I would stick with your inclination to use the money for a better amp, preamp, and a DAC. I think you will be happier this way.

Good luck. 

I'm using a Wyred for Sound pre amp, BAT VK500 amp, Eastern Electric DAC, and Oppo BDP 83. The next major decision I needed to make after purchasing the SoundScapes was determining the best equipment possible to drive the speakers with the remaining $$$ that I had. I can tell that I sought the wise counsel of fellow AudioCircle members (TJHUB, Nuance, Big Red Machine) and of course - Jim to assist me in this endeavor. I also found the AudioCircle forum invaluable in providing me with relevant info to make the best choice when purchasing gear.

[fsimms]

mritschdorff, I agree with you about SoundScapes and movies.  To me, the real value of my SoundScapes is the way they work with TV and movies.   I listen to TV and movies much more than I listen to music.  Regretfully, there is no way others will understand what we are talking about unless they could hear the SSs themselves with movies and TV.  I also have no interest in a center channel or surrounds.  The purity of the soundstage laid out in front of me is fully satisfying.

Bob

[CC]

I agree that the Soundscapes produce a very immersive soundstage, the only problem is that most blu ray movies are not including a stereo soundtrack and when my oppo 95 down mixes it sounds compressed. So I find a center and surrounds helpful on blu rays.

Cheers
Chris

[audiotom]

Congratulations on your 2 channel Soundscape system!

I would certainly, given the choice, favor the 2 channel setup.

Recent 5.1 channel music has been nice but it is nowhere as engaging as a well set up 2 channel system With better electronics setup for music.

Most movie program is focused on dialog in the middle channel and some energy to the front left and right.  Get this right with 2 channels with refined electronics and you are there

I have an Arcam 5.1 setup that works nice for my home theatre.it is very natural sounding.  That said it doesn't come close to the resolving power of my 2 channel set up.

[coke]

I had a 2 channel system with just HT2-TLs for a while.  They worked very well for home theater and I was happy with the system.

I added a HT2C center channel, Marantz receiver, and an AVA amp.  I really don't think it's any better now for me while watching movies.  The HT2-TLs have a great center image.  It does work better for guests though since they sit off center.

If I could do it over again, i'd have bought Soundscapes and built a 2 channel system rather than investing the money in other channels.

 

[(W)KRP]

I have thought about this thread on and off since reading it yesterday, and I re-read it again just now. On the eve of taking the dip, I thought I had it all figured out for a new SoundScape surround system. Now I may wait on the center channel and see how the front two speakers do. I am not dissatisfied with the way dialog presents on my non-Salk system. I have never had surrounds and still want to try them out. I have picked up gobs of multi-channel music and Blu-ray SteelBooks in preparation, as the Salk lab continues to work on new product. I have also researched room treatment and learned from others' experiences for the anticipated upgrade of system components.

Best wishes to all.

[zybar]

I had a 2 channel system with just HT2-TLs for a while.  They worked very well for home theater and I was happy with the system.

I added a HT2C center channel, Marantz receiver, and an AVA amp.  I really don't think it's any better now for me while watching movies.  The HT2-TLs have a great center image.  It does work better for guests though since they sit off center.

If I could do it over again, i'd have bought Soundscapes and built a 2 channel system rather than investing the money in other channels.

 

Coke,

Do you have rear channels or are you just using the three front channels?

In my previous house I used a pair of HT3's for 2 channel and HT (surrounds were some old Diva Swans on the wall) and thought they sounded great!  However, I now have 5 SongTowers in a dedicated HT and think this sounds way better than just pair of HT3's + surrounds.

While I know that the SongTowers aren't as good a performer as the HT3's, having five of them creates a much more immersive and engaging experience.  Overall, I couldn't be happier.

If had to go back to combing my 2 channel and HT systems, I would go for the best stereo speakers I could afford + a very good center channel (assuming it wasn't just me who used the HT) and skimp on the surrounds.  I would get a very good 2 channel preamp with a bypass option so I could incorporate an HT receiver without degrading my 2 channel sound.

George

[coke]

Coke,

Do you have rear channels or are you just using the three front channels?

If had to go back to combing my 2 channel and HT systems, I would go for the best stereo speakers I could afford + a very good center channel (assuming it wasn't just me who used the HT) and skimp on the surrounds.  I would get a very good 2 channel preamp with a bypass option so I could incorporate an HT receiver without degrading my 2 channel sound.

George

I got a $200 gift card last christmas to best buy.  I bought a couple CDs and a music Blu Ray. I used what was left to buy a pair of polk surrounds  

I'm using a receiver as you mentioned. When I watch movies, it's in the loop and handles the processing.  When listening to music I just have my DAC, Pre, and Amp active.  Works very well.  I don't have HT bypass on my preamp though.  I just take one of the pre outs of my receiver and run it to an input of my preamp.  I set the preamp at a certain level when watching movies and switch to that input.   It works great, but I plan on having Frank eventually add HT bypass to the pre.

[yetis]

I agree that the Soundscapes produce a very immersive soundstage, the only problem is that most blu ray movies are not including a stereo soundtrack and when my oppo 95 down mixes it sounds compressed. So I find a center and surrounds helpful on blu rays.

Cheers
Chris

You need a decent processor to take the data and down mix it for you.  I think that 3.1 gives you the bulk of the surround experience. Get a center and a sub and I think the need for rears is minimal.

[CC]

You need a decent processor to take the data and down mix it for you.  I think that 3.1 gives you the bulk of the surround experience. Get a center and a sub and I think the need for rears is minimal.

I can see what your saying, but a good processor isn't cheap. If I was going to spend the money for good processor I wouldn't stop there I would go all out and add surrounds. But I do agree that 3.1 does get you the bulk of the experience.