It amazes me that people will continue to buy high definition TV sets and settle for and pay big bucks for low definition surround sound systems.
Right now I am running a Sony Wega KB34 XBR 960 direct view HD tv with the TV sound turned off, and the audio output piped directly from the TV into a Ultimate 70 vacuum tube amplifier and on to a pair of our Biro L/1 loudspeakers with an old B&W Acoustitune passive subwoofer tucked way back in the corner.
The sound is absolutely spectactular. You do not need a remote control to turn down the loud parts, because the loud parts never "hurt". Even the commercials sound good. You can hear and understand all the words. The sound fills the room with a huge stage and lifelike presentation.
In all the stores and into homes I visit, the multi-channel surround sound systems, every last one of them, sends me screaming away as fast as I can hobble with my hands over my ears.
Why oh why pray tell do people buy this multi-channel trash, when a simple hookup of a great amplifier and a pair of great speakers is all you ever need, and all the surround sound processed sound, music made into hamberger, is completely eliminated?
Try it our way, you might like it- - - high definition sound to go along with your high definition video picture. Duhhh. What are you thinking about anyway?
Of course a couple thousand or more into those snake oil wires and cables will make up the difference. NOT
Frank Van Alstine