Yes, it is MUCH easier than most people think. And it is NOT a compromise of yoru 2 channel sound. HT Bypass as people have mentioned is the official name for it.
What it really is, is a seperate input to recieve pre-out from your HT reciever for the front 2 speakers. So when you want to watch a movie, you just switch inputs.
What isn’t often made is an amp (not integrated) with 2 inputs. That is what I have. My tube amp is an integrated but I bypass the volume to make it an amp and use the multiple inputs--one for my preamp, and one for my HT amp. I am having a custom amp built, and one feature I've ordered is multiple inputs.
Jerry
PS You do need an HT amp that has PRE OUT, at least for the 2 front channels. Of course once you hook it up this way you’ll go into the HT setup and balance the speakers in this mode.