A Beginner's Guide to Two-Channel Audio

Hear the Fullness of Your Favorite Music with 2-Channel Audio 

Listening to two-channel audio, or ‘stereo’ format, was more common in the heyday of turntables. People connected their turntable to a receiver and speakers to experience hi-fi sound in two channels, not just one. 

But as portable, all-in-one solutions like iPods, headphones, and Bluetooth speakers became readily available, people ditched their stereo setups for convenience. However, many audiophiles still crave the high-fidelity quality of two-channel setups and are bringing it back to their homes. 

If you’re a music enthusiast who wants to bring better quality to your speaker setup, let us be your guide. Here’s what you need to know about two-channel speaker systems for your Virginia Beach home.

SEE ALSO: What Does a Professional Audio-Video Installation Entail? 

What Is Two-Channel Audio? 

After music is recorded in the studio, each track is mixed into separate channels. When music is mixed into two channels, that’s called a two-channel or ‘stereo’ format, as opposed to one-channel ‘mono’ formats. Other signal formats you may see are surround sound or Dolby Atmos, which can include five or more audio channels. 

And to make the most of two-channel audio, you need two speakers! Two speakers allow you to hear the richness and fullness of the music that would otherwise be flattened into one speaker. 

Why Should I Use Two-Channel Audio? 

If you play a mono signal over two or more speakers, you’ll hear the exact same recording coming out of each speaker. But when you play a stereo format, each speaker plays something different. The left and right signals contain different elements, so the bass may be on the left speaker while the piano is on the right. It’s also possible for sounds to shift from left to right speakers (and back again), creating a dynamic sense of movement. 

With two loudspeakers facing inward toward the listener, you’ll experience a ‘sweet spot’ of rich, realistic audio. Two-channel audio is much more three-dimensional than playing only one speaker—like a band is really performing in the room with you.  

What Do I Need for Two-Channel Audio? 

To build a two-channel speaker system, you’ll need the following components: 

• A receiver or amplifier 
• Two loudspeakers 
• Speaker wires 
• Audio sources (record player, CD player, network music player, or streamer)  

Most records, CDs, MP3 and WAV files are already in stereo format. Some modern receivers include built-in streaming capabilities. If you’ll be streaming music, and if quality is a concern, we recommend using a service that supports lossless audio, like Qobuz, Tidal, or even Apple Music. Otherwise, you’ll be missing audio details that deserve to be heard on your new stereo setup. 

Ready for Superior Sound? 

Two-channel systems require precise placements and sometimes, configurations to make sure all settings are in the right place. If you’re unsure how to assemble this on your own, Domes Audio Video is here to help. 
Our audio experts in Virginia Beach can design and install the perfect stereo system for your home. Contact Domes Audio Video here to learn more and get started today!