5.1 surround sound mixes - how are these enjoyable?

Just like being in Neil's barn when listening to Harvest, the band around you.

 

I lived with SMALL speakers on the SIDES for over a decade. I was never perfectly happy. Then I added LARGE three-way's, put them BEHIND me, and gave them room to breathe. It seriously took the experience to another level. Mixes I thought were average became epic.

 

Aren't very few (if not none) of the Stones releases 5.1?

 

None of them are 5.1 except for that Sympathy For The Devil remix.

 

Think all stereo. Prefer the west Germany cds ( Japan ) Decca/MFSL.

 

There is one live quadraphonic mix and the remix ep Sympathy for the Devil.

 

Here are some of my favorite 5.1 offers: R.E.M. Warner years, The Who Quad and Tommy, GNR- Appitite and The Stones- Let it Bleed. These sound good on my system.

 

Which Tommy mix, the first on SACD and DVDA or the newer Blu-ray?

 

I have the Blu Ray

 

Tommy ?
SACD.

 

Sound quality wise, as I have mentioned before, the Blu-ray is stunning! Moon's kit in one channel sounds incredible. But I reach for my SACD or DVDA (same mix) more often. I don't consider either reference but I like both.

 

There is no surround mix for Let It Bleed.

 

When I was a teenager and 4 channel was available, the line in Hi FI shops was "would you rather have two very good channels or 4 mediocre ones (for the same amount of money"). I dont think they would have sold me a quad system if their lives depended on it! It didnt really matter to me anyway, because I couldn't even afford a good 2 channel system. Fast forward to the 90's when I uncovered (it was actually hidden under some junk) an Akai CR80dss quad 8 track deck in a thrift shop along with a few Q8's (including The best of bread). I took it home and hooked it into my stereo and listened to the bread tape. I knew this album well and, of course, part of the music I was used to hearing was not there. After some digging, I found an integrated amp for the rears and listened to the tape again and...... there in all it's glory........was the missing music!!!! It blew me away and I've been a surround system junkie ever since. But...... the channels have to be carefully balanced or you will miss out on the fun. There is a lot of great surround music available right now for great prices (google quadraphonic quad). Sony makes a great 4K bluray hi res combi player thats very affordable. Also, for your information, surround discs appreciate in value and become quite valuable. Better get that Pure Prairie League double album surround disc (like going back to the seventies- only better) from Dutton/ Vocalion before they are all gone!

 

If I could actually discern Entwistle's bass playing on that Quad 5.1 remix from The Who, it would okay, but I can't. That album contains some of his most creative playing, and it's buried.

 

I prefer the SACD mix. Townshend had a bigger hand in that one, so it's more how he wanted it. It's hard to imagine that he has hearing problems after listening to that version.

 

He had a bigger hand in that then the DVD-A?

 

it should be pointed out that that is a remix into 5.1, it very much is the original version with Brian Jones, not some later remake.

 

Have you heard the Quad soundtrack with the redone and more prominent base guitar playing?

 

I have several

I have some fan made 5.1s and this is one of them.

 

Upmixes are very different than remixes, which I am sure you already know.

 

When Dark Side Of The Moon was released on surround SACD, I had to buy a SACD player. I've never looked back. I still love stereo. Hell, I still love mono. 5.1 just opened up a new world of fidelity and clarity.
As in any format, some surround mixes are great, others not so much.
But, Pink Floyd, Tomita, Beatles "Love", many classical titles sound fantastic and so much better in surround.

 

Any of the Tomita surround discs are stellar! I never listened to him because I had him pegged as “electronic music” but his work is very nuanced and subtle, and some of the best surround experiences you can have.

 

I like both

 

The DVD-A is the same mix.