Sorry,
No experience here. The only thing I heard on multi-channel was an Eagles recording. The recording quality was actually quite decent. This is the extreme exception with darn-near all pop recordings. Allison Krauss (spelling?) has some very good recordings, but there just aren't many pop-artists producing high quality recordings. I suppse this warrants another string in this chat window. Certainly there are good recordings I am not familair with.
When I consider 5 channel audio, I consider a few things. First, I am cheap. I am really not willing to spend the $ necessary to get quality in a 5 channel setup. I am quite happy with my 2-channel setup and teh sound quality provided. Second, as mentioned above, there are so very few good recordings in 2-channel stereo. The quantity of good recordings in 5-channel is... well... I think you know my sentiment about this.
Further, when I attend the symphony, the instruments are in-front of my listening position. I did hear a good 5 channel setup at Him Salk's home. The quality was excellent. However, I found it strange to have instruments behind my head. I suppose my view on this is eschewed. I am only a listener at the symphony. Folks who actually play an instruement IN the symphony migth prefere the music-all-around deal.
Lastly, one of Jim Salks (1801) customers echoed Al Garay's remarks from a few years ago. Jim's customer said the speakers sounded glorious, but rendered at least 50% of his recordings unlistenable. Such is the case with most pop recordings. I really don't mean to purvey a snooty or snobbish attitude about good and bad recordings. It's a learned listening preference. I prefere the good stuff. For old rock-n-roll gimme' some big JBLs!
Oh, I see how you guys are.
Yeah, that's how I am
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