Problem 1
Most audiophile music is recorded in 2 channel and was not recorded to be played back in surround.
Problem 2
Even if multi-channel audio evolves (i.e. multi channel SACD or DVD-A) folks are still going to need to run obscene amounts of speaker cable to read speakers. Are rear speakers to be judged the same way we judge the front channels in a hi-end stereo system? This is going to be a rough hurdle to overcome. Even running balanced IC back to monoblock amps that sit next to your rears... How will we judge the sound of the rears?
Conclusion 1
Rears cannot sound as good as front channels. They will always have more often than not always have more distortion and lower sound qualities than front speakers.
Conclusion 2
Multi channel audio is a pipe dream left alone. Until we come up with a way to transmit a signal 30' or so with the same degradation as 10', muilti channel will NEVER have the same fidelty to a source as 2 channel.
Summary
I think you need to examine your system. You did not let us know what your 2 channel setup consists of. You say you are an audiophile, but your description of yourself sounds more like music lover. There are speakers that can cast a soundstage on certain recordings that can fill a better part of half a room (180 degrees) depending on how you set the speakers up. I think you need to re-examine your system and figure out what you may be happier with. I would not knock two channel much, for really good 2 channel can effectively sound like surround if it is recorded in a particular way (out of phase signals can effectively sound like they are coming from directly behind you).
This and $2 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Peace.
Keith
Most audiophile music is recorded in 2 channel and was not recorded to be played back in surround.
Problem 2
Even if multi-channel audio evolves (i.e. multi channel SACD or DVD-A) folks are still going to need to run obscene amounts of speaker cable to read speakers. Are rear speakers to be judged the same way we judge the front channels in a hi-end stereo system? This is going to be a rough hurdle to overcome. Even running balanced IC back to monoblock amps that sit next to your rears... How will we judge the sound of the rears?
Conclusion 1
Rears cannot sound as good as front channels. They will always have more often than not always have more distortion and lower sound qualities than front speakers.
Conclusion 2
Multi channel audio is a pipe dream left alone. Until we come up with a way to transmit a signal 30' or so with the same degradation as 10', muilti channel will NEVER have the same fidelty to a source as 2 channel.
Summary
I think you need to examine your system. You did not let us know what your 2 channel setup consists of. You say you are an audiophile, but your description of yourself sounds more like music lover. There are speakers that can cast a soundstage on certain recordings that can fill a better part of half a room (180 degrees) depending on how you set the speakers up. I think you need to re-examine your system and figure out what you may be happier with. I would not knock two channel much, for really good 2 channel can effectively sound like surround if it is recorded in a particular way (out of phase signals can effectively sound like they are coming from directly behind you).
This and $2 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Peace.
Keith