A scandalous number of multi-channel mixes are no more than glorified quad.

The center channel loudspeaker is the most important one in any surround system. Failure to use it properly is holding back the development of surround sound as a music medium. It's not the only thing inhibiting music in surround-record-company apathy and stereo's dominance in downloads are bigger problems. But it worries me that a listener getting his first taste of music in a 5.1-channel format might not hear it at its best.

Why is the center so crucial? Doesn't that seem counterintuitive? After all, stereo systems get along without any center channel at all. However, movie mixes depend heavily on the center channel to deliver both dialogue and the leading edge of those action-movie surround effects that make our hearts beat faster. That's why many speaker makers design the center with a higher efficiency rating-they know it needs to play loud.



Link: Designtechnica