In a multi-channel setup, yes it's an intregal part of it all. I direct you and any other here to go to Home Theatre's, Scott Wilkenson's Home Theatre Geeks podcasts. Two episodes ago he interviewed Dr. Floyd Toole. Any audiophile or hifi fan should know who Dr. Floyd Toole is. That podcast dealt mostly with dealing with sub woofer bass and location but Dr. Toole denoted his preference for multi-channel sound over traditional stereo sound. As a result the centre channel is very important.
That said I am a fan of stereo for music made in the stereo realm. I find most of the multi-channel algorithms turning stereo onto multi-channel sound are not quite as appealing as one could hope for. But that said THX Music cinema can sound pretty good. However having an Oppo BDP-83 and the supplied AIX Records Blu-ray sampler disc. I find professionally mixed hi rez multi-channel audio of the likes AIX Records does is VERY IMPACTFUL AND SUPERBLY CREDIBLE!
That said I am a fan of stereo for music made in the stereo realm. I find most of the multi-channel algorithms turning stereo onto multi-channel sound are not quite as appealing as one could hope for. But that said THX Music cinema can sound pretty good. However having an Oppo BDP-83 and the supplied AIX Records Blu-ray sampler disc. I find professionally mixed hi rez multi-channel audio of the likes AIX Records does is VERY IMPACTFUL AND SUPERBLY CREDIBLE!