If you want the best multi channel MUSIC you may not want to use reares.Most of the time sounds awful.I sold Hi-end 2 ch and A/V systems for years and the best music I heard was with Meridian pre-amp which has patented "Trinaural Sound" which is the best 3 channel (front only) I have heard.Some A/V receivers may have a lesser version of this (many have 3 channel stereo mode) but if you had opportunity to hear the Meridian stuff you'd want it.I know a company makes an add on Trinuaral processor box for $1K though name escapes me know.I am going to probably keep my ubes and horns in office/bedroom and get used Meridian up front.Like I said if you ever got chance to hear it think you'd be impressed but main point hear is no matter what you get just using center fill channel maybe better than 5.1 o 7.1.And you may like many decide to just listen in regular stereo mode because most surround music mode does not "get it right".if Bell Labs which invented stereo in 30's had kept it a 3 box system the way it developed would have been very different but marketing types told engineers two boxes would sell better when they eventually got o market in early 50's.
Chazz
Chazz