I think we would all agree, for a 4.0 mix (i.e. quad), definitely want a set up as close to a traditional quad speaker placement as possible. I know what you are saying about the Anthem. Mine can be set-up to avoid the issue and it knows I only have a 4.0 set up. But it is a bit older.
This opens up a can of worms. It is sad that with the move to 5.1 and then 7.1 and Atmos that little consideration was given to Quad.
Does seem daft that you can't select speakers to match the set-up you want. The problem arose when the new standard for 7.1 appeared as what had been thought of as the Rears in 5.1 became the Sides (but if you look at the speaker placement diagrams (often with SACDs) that is what they were shown as), not that makes it any less irritating for those of us who use them as rears.
You are not really missing it if your system is set up for only four speakers. A lot of people (including the stereo only crowd) prefer a phantom centre anyway.
I often enjoy 5.1 with center off as well. But when there are lead vocals (isolated in center) missing I consider keeping it on. Or if I know that given album really well, I can at times do entirely without the vocals.
Yes, I can relate to that! Also good for karaoke!
Don't you normally in that case downmix the vocal?
No, I want the L & R chans to have as much separation as they were created with. Keep the purity pure.
I was just thinking about this today. Switching cables is too burdensome for me. I move my chair up a few feet so my side channels are behind me. Not ideal. Anthem needs to make speaker selection more changeable.
The description of the quadio was a bit flawdio.
I da-know, a set of bonus tracks can’t really be considered a flaw. Or can it?
If I understand correctly, the 5.1 was intended to be one “heck” of an Easter egg.
I bought a small used amp for $70 and connected it directly to the center output on my OPPO. I only turn it on when I'm listening to 5.1 stuff, not things like a Quadio that only has the 4 channels. It works fine although it's a bit of a pain to adjust that volume control to keep it in sync with the volume on my main receiver.
That would happen if the centre is out of phase. I remember having that problem with The Doors LA Woman DVD-A. Downmixed there were no vocals!
I was not familiar with the recording, but listened to it on YT yesterday. I think I’ll bite on that one at least.
My dear old Altec 724 has a “center” output jack. It’s just the FM sum signal. I might have checked it once to see if it was working, but never acrually used it, since I never had a third front speaker until after I got my first surround pre-pro.
Perspective... WOW, what a concept! Well put and a much appreciated reminder.
