[InSuboRdiNaTioN]

If I just use the front two channels and center channel, this won't have any determinental effect on sound output when in 5.1 mode, correct? Or should I just not use 5.1 and drop the center channel speakers?
Sorry for the newb question!
Thanks

[John151]

No problem, just specify in the set up screens on the Receiver that you don't have surround speakers attached.

[Levi]

It all depends on the information in the 5.1 mix.

If you are watching video, it should work just fine without intervention.  Like John mentioned above.  It will work with a smart processor that will route rear into the remaining channels in Phantom mode.

On the contrary, If you are listening to DVD-A by AIX or SACD in 5.1 mix, there will be instruments that you will be missing depending on the software.

[John151]

Oops, I assumed Home Theater.

[InSuboRdiNaTioN]

It is home theater, so you assumed right

Thanks for the help!

[rbrb]

It all depends on the information in the 5.1 mix.

If you are watching video, it should work just fine without intervention.  Like John mentioned above.  It will work with a smart processor that will route rear into the remaining channels in Phantom mode.

On the contrary, If you are listening to DVD-A by AIX or SACD in 5.1 mix, there will be instruments that you will be missing depending on the software.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought all DVD-Audio and SA-CD players can down mix.  If you turn off the center channel or rear channels in the set up menu the information should be redirected.

[ctviggen]

Wouldn't both of these situations create wierd effects?  For instance, the reason a plane appears to be flying over you from back to front is that the sound starts in the backat a high level and decreases in level while the front starts at a low level and increases in level.  If you put all this sound into the front speakers, it'll sound strange.  Maybe DVD-A and SACD are different than home theater, though.  But for home theater, I would want the processor to toss the information from the rears.

[rbrb]

Wouldn't both of these situations create wierd effects?  For instance, the reason a plane appears to be flying over you from back to front is that the sound starts in the backat a high level and decreases in level while the front starts at a low level and increases in level.  If you put all this sound into the front speakers, it'll sound strange.  Maybe DVD-A and SACD are different than home theater, though.  But for home theater, I would want the processor to toss the information from the rears.

It would not be any different than listening to the soundtrack in simple stereo, which the vast majority of people with DVD players do everyday.  Information is not actually missing it's just not being extracted and directed to individual channels.

[JLM]

Or no different than watching a 5.1 DVD on a TV with no extra speakers.

IMO most information, especially relating to music, is in the front.  OTOH with more speakers/channels you'll get more information and so better sound (all else being equal and assuming competently made recordings).

[winterslove]

i used just three speakers with my sony av amp with no problems before
i just used it in stereo setting
as using 5.1 setting would be pointless as you can not get
5.1 sound from three speakers
although i did try and use it on dd setting and had no problems
all that happens is the surround sound information gets lost,
but in three speaker setting(which is called pro logicII on my amp)
you can get all three speakers doing the work although it wont be 5.1
my amp has some other options for three speakers but i can not remember all the names of those settings.

i like three speakers as my room is small and three speakers look better
and for me,the sound is more then good enough
do try using your amp with just two speakers on stereo setting though
as for some films i like it more on three and others i like more on two