My music genre (alt rock / indie) rarely has budget for surround.
I am interested in surround for my living room or bedroom TV. But not for music.
I have seen some surround demonstrations, the pompousness of some of the self proclaimed 'experts' made me gag.... especial after hearing their ridiculous results...
Like the above posts I agree that the "punch" of surround might be too indistinct or unfocused for my and others tastes..
Also I feel at present surround is at odds with the "youth" market in which I work.
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Youth - often on the move
MP3 players / Internet download - stereo
Computer monitors - stereo
Discman's - stereo
MTV - stereo
Mini Disk - stereo
CD players - stereo
Music clubs (ok surround is possible here) - but mostly - stereo
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Grown ups - more homebound due to kids & work, rarely get to movie theaters so what do they do?
Treat them selves to a kickin' surround sound DVD set up with a giant screen.
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I dont feel the delivery methods for both MUSIC markets share much in common. Granted the technical strides forward ARE of interest, But honestly, I cant help thinking ANY split down the middle of the industry with 'adult music' being made in surround' and kids music in stereo, is a bad thing.
Re-releasing stuff on CD's was a well known 'new music killer' as labels deferred development of new talent for selling everyone their Pink Floyd albums a SECOND TIME - on CD. Now we are supposed to clap hands in glee while engineering dons churn out THE SURROUND VERSIONS.. or the SACD versions..
I dunno, in troubled times I favor unity over splits in the industry...
Perhaps I have more of a survival spirit than a pioneering one.....
I am ill at ease with the whole issue...