2.0 or 3.0 or 4.0 for HT Movie Audio?

Just for clarification, I can run a sub or subs in a .1 or .2 configuration, just prefer not to at this time.

So if you are running a sub or subs, would like to hear your impressions as well (don't mean to suggest I'm only looking for feedback from those with sub-less configurations).

I know you don't want to use your sub, but IMO it is a big step down to eliminate the LFE channel, unless the movies you watch are all very talky. Having said that...

Watching movies in 2.0 can certainly be an enjoyable experience, but you are sacrificing frequency extension, dynamic range, scale, and dialog that is anchored to the screen. Perhaps most importantly, by listening in 2.0, you will not hear the sound mix as it was intended, which is a significant part of the technical creativity of many films, and not just big budget action films.

3.0 would be an improvement in some respects, with the same caveat I mentioned about eliminating the LFE channel. I do not recommend 4.0 (i.e. no center channel).

If I were you, I would consider 3.1 (no surrounds). I am currently listening in 3.1, and it is a very close approximation of 5.1. In some ways, I prefer it to 5.1.

Good luck.

Bryon

3.1 is as low as I would go, movies need the center IMO in most any case its a compromise to have the info spread across the front stage.
Many will no doubt chime in with their opinions of 2.0 bliss but I dont think its ideal. I did that in the 80's and am not into retro fads.
Still I would go 5.1 even if you just used some micro surrounds, as long as you can manage crossovers you should atleast enjoy some surround from most any speaker.
I dont know about the claim of no sub being a bad idea, my dad gave up his LFE when he upgraded to 2 subs to enhance his main speakers, he has 10 8in powered woofers in his rig with no dedicated sub (wired off the main amp signal) LFE is turned off on Anthem HT pre and it sounds fantastic for music and movies.

For my home theater set up, I ditched the center a long time ago and have never looked back. With good left and rigth speakers near the TV, I don't miss it. My understanding is that if I had people sitting very far to one side of the TV or the other it might be a problem with uncentered images etc. But that's not an issue for us. The "phantom" center that most pre/pros or receivers genereate is really quite fine IMHO. There is a separate thread on this. Many agreed.

I do have surrounds and a sub, and think they are quite important to enjoying movies fully. Sub adds significant bass impact for LFE and generally for dynamic parts of movies with lots of bass. Surrounds are very important to me for ambiance and the spacial references. So my system is 4.1 (L/R mains, surround rear L/R, and sub).