| ITEM | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|---|---|
| Matrix | Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Players are readily available Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility Use of Involve's Surround Master decoders increases separation |
Reduced channel separation
Limited mono compatibility Can have the cogging problem |
| Discrete | Full separation between channels | Requires special media and players
Players and decoders are relatively rare Finding players that can play your format is even harder Needs a lot more bandwidth Must mix or matrix down to play on 2-channel player or on mono Has the cogging problem if not prevented with special techniques |
| Regular Matrix RM |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Best for stereo play Anyone can play it Compatible: HD, DQ, EV4, QS, DS, DPLI, DPLII, SM(QS) Passive decoders are available and work Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility |
Reduced channel separation
Limited mono compatibility - center back disappears Can have the cogging problem |
| Phase Matrix PM |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Includes SQ matrix and variants Compatible: SQ, SQB, EVU Anyone can play it Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility |
Reduced channel separation
Limited mono compatibility - center back disappears Can have the cogging problem Not compatible with RM list (above) Not very compatible with ambience pickups |
| Hafler Diamond HD Matrix |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Best for stereo play Anyone can play it Compatible: HD, DQ, EV4, QS, DS, DPLI, DPLII, SM(QS) Passive decoders are available and work Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility Does not have the cogging problem Cheapest system |
Limited mono compatibility - center back disappears
Reduced channel separation |
| ITEM | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Denon UMX/BMX UM Matrix |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Anyone can play it Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility |
Stereo image is distorted
Reduced channel separation Not compatible with other matrix systems Very limited availability of recordings |
| BBC Matrix H UM And Ambisonic |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Anyone can play it Passive decoders are available and work Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility |
Limited Stereo compatibility - Image without decoder distorted
Reduced channel separation Not compatible with other matrix systems Very limited availability of recordings |
| JVC/RCA CD-4 CD Discrete |
Full channel separation | Limited to phonograph records
Special pickup, stylus, and demodulator needed A fussy system that fails if not set up perfectly Records can wear out quickly Dust on record makes loud crashing sounds Limited availability of recordings |
| Jet 8 Quad 8-track Q8 Discrete |
Full channel separation | Limited to Q8 8-track cartridge players (rare)
Stereo player cannot play Q8 cartridge Tapes can wear out quickly Limited availability of recordings Limited availability of blank tape |
| Quad Reel 4-track reel Q4 Discrete |
Full channel separation
Recorder can be used as studio multitrack. |
Limited to 4-track quad reel players (rare)
Stereo player cannot play Q4 tape Limited availability of recordings Limited availability of blank tape |
| ITEM | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Surrfield Matrix SF Special mic system |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Best for stereo play Anyone can play it Compatible: HD, DQ, EV4, QS, DS, DPLI, DPLII, SM(QS) Passive decoders are available and work Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility Mono compatibility Headphone compatible binaural Does not have the cogging problem |
Reduced channel separation
Not fully compatible with panpot mixing, but can be used with it |
| Stereo plus Ambience mics AP |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Best for stereo play Anyone can play it Compatible: HD, DQ, EV4, QS, DS, DPLI, DPLII, SM(QS) Creates a full sphere of sound around the listener Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility Mono compatibility Headphone compatible |
Reduced channel separation
Not fully compatible with panpot mixing, but can be used with it Can have the cogging problem |
| Dolby Surround DS Matrix |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Best for stereo play Anyone can play it Compatible: HD, DQ, EV4, QS, DS, DPLI, DPLII, SM(QS) Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility Does not have the cogging problem |
Limited mono compatibility - center back disappears
Reduced channel separation Not compatible with Dolby Digital or Dolby Atmos |
| Dolby Digital 5.1 Discrete |
Full separation between channels
DVD version usually has Dolby Surround on stereo tracks |
Requires special media and players
Players and decoders are relatively rare Finding players that can play your format is even harder Needs a lot more bandwidth Must mix or matrix down to play on 2-channel player or on mono Has the cogging problem if not prevented Not compatible with Dolby Surround or any other matrix system |
| ITEM | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 Discrete |
Full separation between channels | Requires special media and players
Players and decoders are relatively rare Finding players that can play your format is even harder Creates a hemispherical sound field around the listener Needs a lot more bandwidth Must mix or matrix down to play on 2-channel player or on mono Has the cogging problem if not prevented Not compatible with Dolby Surround or any other matrix system |
| Spherfield Matrix SR Special 3D mic system |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Best for stereo play Anyone can play it Compatible: HD, DQ, EV4, QS, DS, DPLI, DPLII, SM(QS) Creates a spherical sound field around the listener Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility Mono compatibility Does not have the cogging problem |
Reduced channel separation
Not fully compatible with panpot mixing, but can be used with it |
| Spheround Matrix SR 3D matrix system |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Best for stereo play Anyone can play it Compatible: HD, DQ, EV4, QS, DS, DPLI, DPLII, SM(QS) Creates a spherical sound field around the listener Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility Mono compatibility Does not have the cogging problem |
Reduced channel separation
Not fully compatible with panpot mixing, but can be used with it |
| SQ Spheround Matrix QR 3D matrix system using SQ instead of QS |
Works with all two-channel stereo media
Media are in general use Anyone can play it Compatible: EU, SQ SM(SQ) Creates a spherical sound field around the listener Uses less bandwidth Stereo compatibility Mono compatibility |
Reduced channel separation
Not fully compatible with panpot mixing, but can be used with it Unequal channel separations |