Why is 2 Channel better than multi-channel?

I dont think i can accept the position stated above that by the very nature of the multichannel configuration , imaging constraints are aleviated. This is certainly just my opinion but quite the opposite is what I have concluded.....sorry. What I am getting at is that the adding of more speakers and channels of music contaminates the imaging without the meticulous protocol of proper integration . That trial and error journey has created some serious late night hair pulling sessions but breakthroughs eventually evolve . I understand Slappys thinking in that with movie soundtracks that rely on sound effects, imaging problems are ameliorated with the addition of more speakers but I evaluate multichannel strictly on music coherency and once you are somewhat satisfied with your work there , movies sound excellent. I agree with him that 2 channel smokes mullti in all but a few demonstrations I have been a part of { including ces shows } and that itself illuminates the issue of the great difficulty we are facing in mulltichannel integration.

correction. Multi... not mullti. got excited for a moment.

Brainwater...Try to listen to Tacet DVD-A D107..Mozart Flute Quartets. You can't match this sound with any 2 channel system. Don't judge multichannel by inappropriately or poorly mastered discs.

Eldartford , I look forward to that opportunity and will make efforts . I agree wholeheartedly with you in that a poorly mastered multichannel disc cannot be salvaged by any means for the most part . The thrust of my observations about the difficulty in achieving coherency in multichannel sound presentation was just that : its difficulty. I am a firm believer in multichannel and by evidence of my investment in my "theatre " / multichannel setup , I am in this to win. Its just that Slappy is damn near correct in what he is saying. Note the word near. I keep stumbling into this scenario whereby frustration in the results keeps many from appreciating what a properly set up multichannel system can be like. I am a certified soundfield coherency freak and my relentless pursuit of perfection leaves me thirsty which in turn keeps me studying and experimenting. There is and has been a dearth of knowlege and readily available articles that articulate a definitive and widely agreed upon formula to once and for all settle the question of how to get sonic bliss in a multichannel configuration. Widescreen Review was one of the first to insist on ditching bi or dipolar surrounds in favor of 5 identical , equidistant { from listening position } full range speakers in the room. Equal speaker legnths were part of that equation I seem to remember as well as equal amplification . . These articles have been long forgotten by many as the magazine has been obsessed with video for a couple of years now but they did indeed lead the charge in advocating this setup. Its a near unrealistic goal as most simply cannot do much of it ; but we should try. I would not give up multichannel and done properly , can and does out perform 2 channel with good software. I like G Holts articles too by the way. Eldartford , what are some other good recordings in multichannel you like?

this one is harder to answer than one would think. It has been my experience that I prefer multi channel, but when I have company over the preferance is for 2-channel. Folks are more visual than audio and too many speakers make for more discussion of the system than of the movie...which might mean that we got it all wrong.