5.1 question

Those are all 2-channel (stereo) sources. They don't sound great after you convert them up to 5-channel.

I don't know your receiver too well, but I think it should have an All Channel Stereo or Multi-Channel Stereo mode. This is the mode you're looking for.

Different receivers have different modes for 4 channel stereo. (stereo sound from the fronts as a pair and rears as a pair)

My Pioneer has a setting called "extended stereo". You just have to find out what that manufacturer calls that setting. Also, you'll get better sound if your receiver has Dolby Pro Logic II. If it has Dolby Pro Logic II Music, that's even better (for music, DPLII Movie for movies obviously)!!!

Check your manual for available listening modes.

Most decent receivers let you play with dolby pro logic music settings.

The surround channels are extrapolated from what's in the stereo track. And with five channel you're obviously asking for this in the center channel.

Some stereo sources have surround content matrixed into the stereo track and dplii will extract this.

You bought a home theater in a box. There were going to be many compromises and the lack of a five channel stereo mode is apparently one of them.

You may like feeling like you are in a car with sound coming from everywhere, but you would be better off getting the front two to image.

I contacted LG America and they said they don't endorse that product because it's made and sold in the Arab nations (are you from there? Otherwise I'm wondering how you got it), not in America. So if you're in America (or Canada), try getting something made a bit more locally

Also, as others said, if you just get a good front Left/Right speaker set, you can build on that. (And if you get good enough speakers, the "soundstage" will envelope you quite well without the need for rear speakers just yet)

I hate all-channel-stereo.

Stereo music sounds best in stereo.

Right. When you're in a concert, for instance (or listening to any live sound, for that matter), the sound comes from a certain direction, initially. Like the stage in front. Or the pterodactyl screaming to your front-right. You do hear versions of those sounds from other directions, but they're echoes. The scream echoes off the basalt cliffs behind you. The music from the concert echoes from the stadium around you.

That's not the same thing as having the soundtrack reproduced identically from all directions.

DPL-II is trying to create that ambiance, and it either is given direct matrixed channels to try to do that, or it tries to extrapolate based on its algorithms.

On my receiver, I can play with how wide the center channel is, and how much goes to the surrounds versus the front soundstage.

But if you don't like what DPL-II does two your two channel sources, don't use it, and play your front stereo speakers, and use the side and rear of the room to create the ambiance, like psgcdn said. Although stereo works better for one centered listener...for more people, you'd want to pursue the five channel stereo, etc.

I'd still suggest trying DPL-II on sources that should have matrixed surround embedded in the stereo signal, such as television shows.

If you're incredibly picky about your sound, shouldn't you buy a standalone receiver instead of a limited HTIB system?

In general, the best sound quality will result from listening to the source as it was mixed, not by trying to have your receiver somehow guess at remixing it. If it's a 2.1 or 2.0 source, listen to it in that format.

If you want to get your surrounds involved in the music, buy something that's been recorded in surround sound. There are tons of good suggestions in the relevant forum. Particularly have a look for something live by a band you enjoy, in blu-ray format. It won't be quite like being at the concert, but with a good system, it can be a pretty fantastic experience.

CDs and records are generally just stereo, which is why people who just listen to music generally pump their money into a 2-channel system. 5.1 is generally more of a home theatre solution, which is wear you'll get the most use out of those extra speakers.

Hehe. Don't get thrown off the chase by other people's preferences. If you want stereo from all directions, then go find a receiver that does it (there are tons of options).

I can relate--I listen to multi-channel stereo at all times. There's nothing wrong with it. I would personally dissuade you from using DolbyPL-blah-blah for music, because it changes the output in a way that makes it sound completely different from the source recording; but you have discovered that on your own

+1

If you can't find anything better for the price, then keep what you have! It's better to have something rather than nothing. Then when you have more of a budget or decide you want that all channel stereo, just get a receiver that does have that feature.