What do Quadraphonic LPs sound like on regular stereo?

[Bol]

I'm rather new to LP buying, and noticed that some classical LPs are marked "Quadraphonic". Do these sound like other, regular LPs on regular stereo? Thanks in advance.

[AllenLowe]

half as good (twice as bad?)

[Ted O'Reilly]

I have a factory-sealed copy of Gil Evans' Svengali (Atlantic QD 1643) noted as in CD-4 Channel Discrete. The cover notes "This Four-Channel Discrete QUADRADISC is fully compatible. All rear channel information will sound in the front speakers when played in stereo."

Whether this is true or not, I don't know, as I also had a stereo version that I actually listened to. I recall there were Discrete and Matrix version of 4-channel discs, though I always stuck with just stereo. (Discuss: Discreet vs. Matrix -- a bigger shoot-in-the-foot than Beta vs. VHS?)

Wikipedia may answer your question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadraphonic_sound

[jeffcrom]

I've got a couple of quad LPs, and they sound fine in stereo to me. One is the Gil Evans album mentioned by Ted. That one was reportedly a nightmare to record, anyway, so I'm not sure any version sounds great, but my quad copy sounds okay.

[JohnS]

I've had a few in my time (on Black Jazz and if I remember correctly Impulse). Seemed to play fine.

[medjuck]

Have there been any Quadrophonic recordings re-issued in 4 track on a DVD? They could do that and ad some interesting graphics too.

[gutrotfrenzy]

What I'd like to know is what they sound like when playd quad. Any experiences? I have some 70's impulses that boast about it, but I've never had the chance to test that s**t out.

[jazzbo]

Joe, I think the answer is yes. I remember reading about Chicago (the band) quad recordings on DVD.

I remember from my limited experience in the 'seventies that quad lps sounded pretty much like their stereo versions when played on a stereo rig.

Edited November 12, 2010 by jazzbo