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Stereo or 2.1, What's the Difference?
The RSP-1 preamplifier features stereo outputs, however these can be further considered in two distinct
applications: Full Range Stereo or "2.1". Of course which applies to you and your own system is determined
upon the configuration your audio system's discrete amplifier channels and your loudspeaker system. Since
home audio system have changed over time , the criteria for which type of speakers you choose has become
a trade off between cosmetics, cost, and performance. What's more, widespread use of portable media
players such as Apple iPod, Microsoft Zune, etc. change the bandwidth requirements for many systems
because of compression.
Traditional Full Range Stereo
Traditional 2-channel listeners will typically opt to use the full range outputs which are then fed into discrete
amplifiers and on to speakers intended to reproduce the full audio spectrum of 20-20KHz. Whether they be
tower speakers, in walls, or other configurations, the application is for speakers that will be 2-way, 3-way,
or higher and will have a robust low frequency driver intended to handle the low frequencies while the
remaining drivers in the speaker handle the higher frequencies.
2.1 Configuration
The trend of many home audio systems is to employ the use of compact, less obvious loudspeaker systems
that sometimes severely limit their low frequency capabilities. Whereas traditional home theater systems
commonly use a dedicated subwoofer with smaller satellite speakers, the 2-channel listening experience
has, until recently, still hinged on the "2 large speakers" paradigm. The satellite/subwoofer speaker system
(aka 2.1 ) architecture is an excellent approach for many listening rooms where furniture or the aesthetics of
less obtrusive speakers often prevail. Consequently, the 2.1 architecture built in to the Emotiva RSP-1 is ideal
for both large full range monitors (as a biamped speaker) as well as component speakers having a smaller
woofer/tweeter combination (even if no subwoofer is used). Of course in either case, a high performance
powered subwoofer creates even more breathtaking effects. Whatever the configuration, utilizing the high
pass/low pass architecture of the RSP-1 requires discrete amplifier channels for each output.
Is it the same as 5.1?
The brief answer is NO, but with some qualification . The term "2.1" was not created from an encoding
process such as 5.1, rather the term describes the fact that the RSP-1 offers two high frequency channels
and an independently summed mono low pass channel (what Emotiva engineers deemed the .1 channel).
Of course in an actual .1 channel such as in Dolby Digital or DTS processing, the .1 channel is actually a
processed Low Frequency Effects channel that has both frequency and amplitude controlled information
that is intended for a subwoofer. In an LFE application, the subwoofer output is also able to redirect bass
frequencies that would normally be intended for front speakers but that (due to size and/or processor
configurations) may be unable to reproduce those frequencies. The subwoofer output of the RSP-1 is not
processed in any way other than it utilizes a low pass filter selectable between 80 or 120 Hz. Independently
of the low pass output, the high pass output can also be limited to play down to 120 or 80Hz offering
protection to smaller mid-woofers unable to reproduce low bass.
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