Dumb question about Speaker Positioning

thanks everyone for the input . . . I somewhat fully subscribe to the 2 channel school of thought, but I'm still intrigued by some of the more well recorded 5.1 videos. I'm not ruling out clearing out the multi channel equipment at some point, but since I have another pure 2 channel room, I want to continue playing with the multi-purpose media space.

I've optimised the placement of my front LR speakers for stereo, and I have a center speaker and two surrounds lateral to our seating position. CD and SACD disks are played in stereo, most DVDs in 5.1. Frequencie below 80 Hz are shunted to a Velodyne HGS-15 whether in stereo or 5.1 -- I suppose stereo might be termed 2.1.

I see no reason for an either or decision in this matter; you can have both. I find that by shunting LF to the sub, the LR speakers sound a bit more open and transparent in stereo, and the sub integrates seamlessly so you would never point to it as a source, and it can deliver the subtle vibration you feel when you attend a live pipe organ recital. I like to experience the canons wizzing over my head when watching Master and Commander, so when 5.1 is available for movies or some TV shows, especially CSI: Miami which is so spectacular in HDTV, I tend to use it. But I have found audio DVDs more of a novelty than an enhancement.

db

db--A very helpful post, in my opinion, and for what it's worth.
-Bill

I agree with all of the above but would add that while speaker position will be optimal for both, seating may need to be changed a little so that you'll listen to 5.1 a few feet closer to the front than for 2ch audio. The idea is to be "surrounded" by the rear speaker effect in 5.1 while you want to benefit from a complete soundstage in 2ch audio. I do not know if it makes sense the way I describe it but in practice: wherever you seat for 2ch audio, move your chair a couple of feet toward the front for 5.1. Listen and forget about this if you do not like it!!!

Interesting point Boheme. I recently moved my seat forward to set up more in nearfield listening. I found that move really improved things so I plan to try it out even closer but need to make some furniture changes. This is for 2 channel. Given this would you still suggest moving closer?

To describe my room - it's approx 21x13. My fronts are 4 1/2 ft from the wall, rears are 1 ft from the rear wall. My seat is about 9 1/2 ft from the fronts (measured at my ears), leaving about 5 ft from the rears to my seat.

thanks, Brad G.