2+2+2 Multichannel

That's what Chesky proposed, but seems will not be delivering in SACD. I used a JVC ambiance processor for years with a six speaker set-up. Seems the most logical way to me when dealing with music. The speakers at the front, behind and outside of the main pair, are the way to go to recreate the early reflections around the stage and open up the sound to a very great extent. Unfortunately, since the software and hardware manufacturers want MC audio to piggyback unto HT, we wind up with this centre channel + sub at the front affair. Too bad.

Chesky's version is different though. The two height channels are at the sides of the room, between the listener and the main channels, whereas the European 2+2+2 has the height channels in the front of the room. The two formats aren't strictly interchangeable, since the microphone placement and mixing was done assuming one speaker configuration or the other.

You are right about the differences between the Chesky and MDG setups. The Telarc, too, is different in that it has a single height channel multiplexed with the LFE channel. I also agree with PBB that it was unfortunate that compatibility with HT 5.1 took precedence over considerations for optimum music reproduction.

Almost everyone who cares about multichannel audio agrees on the point about the problems of 5.1. But there are just so few people with audio-only multichannel systems that its hard to make the case for profitability of non-HT compatible formats. The eventual answer would be hierarchically processed multichannel data which can be configured by your player/receiver to whatever speaker arrangement exists in your home, for HT as well as for audio. But this is still a research area and years away from being a reality or a recording standard.

The 2+2+2 ideas could work if the mains and rears were at the same angles as in 5.1; then the additional 2 could be switched in or out depending on the format of the recording.

I've never heard a properly set up Ambisonics system. Has anyone here? If so would you please describe your impressions? How might it compare to this?