I would also like to qualify some of the responses above, where others are stating "multi-channel as superior". My experience is that most cannot even setup a 2 channel system for best sound, let alone 5 or more ch!
Let's just assume two equal quality level of recodings, sacd, whatever - one two channel, the other 5.1 ch recording. If you wind up getting several channels set up for lackluster performance from the speakers (due to poor placement and overall setup, acoustics, issues, etc), and you can forget about hi-fidelity coming at you from all around!
Imagine one speaker sitting in an acoustic hole at 63-80hz, or another too close to the walls (reinforce all the upper bass/mid frequencies and improperly treating reflection points ), or one speaker out in the open, and all of a sudden you wind up with way different fideltiy sound coming from each speaker. Now you got lack luster sound, and a hodge-podge setup, that's in dire need of some help!
I think, with 2 speakers, most people have a much better shot at getting a reasonably descent setup attempt -less possible acoustic issues to address, simpler, etc. In this case, you'll likely have the potential for better over all sound quality. I'm just sayin.
The more complicated, the more the average audio hobbiest is gunna screw things up. K.I.S.S. applies here over throwing in many more variables, beyond the control of the masses.
What does everyone think here on my viewpoint?
Let's just assume two equal quality level of recodings, sacd, whatever - one two channel, the other 5.1 ch recording. If you wind up getting several channels set up for lackluster performance from the speakers (due to poor placement and overall setup, acoustics, issues, etc), and you can forget about hi-fidelity coming at you from all around!
Imagine one speaker sitting in an acoustic hole at 63-80hz, or another too close to the walls (reinforce all the upper bass/mid frequencies and improperly treating reflection points ), or one speaker out in the open, and all of a sudden you wind up with way different fideltiy sound coming from each speaker. Now you got lack luster sound, and a hodge-podge setup, that's in dire need of some help!
I think, with 2 speakers, most people have a much better shot at getting a reasonably descent setup attempt -less possible acoustic issues to address, simpler, etc. In this case, you'll likely have the potential for better over all sound quality. I'm just sayin.
The more complicated, the more the average audio hobbiest is gunna screw things up. K.I.S.S. applies here over throwing in many more variables, beyond the control of the masses.
What does everyone think here on my viewpoint?