Thread: SACD Subwoofer Channel

Posts: 2

Post by DLan66 August 3, 2004 (1 of 2)
I have bought about 30 SACDs. As indicated on my monitor, most of them have 3/2 channels or 2/2 channels, a a few just have 2 stereo channels, and a few have 3/2.1 channels.

I guess 3/2 means 2 front channels, a center channel and the surround cnhannels; 2/2 means 2 front channels and the surround channels; and the ".1" means the subwoofer channel. I put my ears close to the speakers and I think my guess is correct.

I tested the few with the ".1" channel and found that there is minimal signal sent into this channel.

The question is--if that is the case, is it necessary to use a subwoofer?

I only bought classical SACDs. Do you know if the pop or jazz SACDs are the same?

Don

Post by jdaniel@jps.net August 4, 2004 (2 of 2)
DLan66 said:

I have bought about 30 SACDs. As indicated on my monitor, most of them have 3/2 channels or 2/2 channels, a a few just have 2 stereo channels, and a few have 3/2.1 channels.

I guess 3/2 means 2 front channels, a center channel and the surround cnhannels; 2/2 means 2 front channels and the surround channels; and the ".1" means the subwoofer channel. I put my ears close to the speakers and I think my guess is correct.

I tested the few with the ".1" channel and found that there is minimal signal sent into this channel.

The question is--if that is the case, is it necessary to use a subwoofer?

I only bought classical SACDs. Do you know if the pop or jazz SACDs are the same?

Don

I've noticed only one SACD so far in which it makes a big difference: The Linn recording of Organ Concerti by Poulenc/Petit/Barber. Most of the organ sound comes out the rear (surround) speakers and the sub. *Some* bass is captured by the L/R mains, but not the deepest. With the Durufle disc and even E Power Biggs' Bach Tocattas, the mains seem to be enough, as thunderous bass emits from the mains even without a sub. My guess it that most Classical SACDs don't need one. The Linn recordings I've bought so far seem to be recorded for the very best systems--ones with no compromises.

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