With all the emphasis on multi-speaker surround sound, stereo music may seem an unlikely place to find high quality sound. Truth be told, a two speaker stereo system setup correctly can produce a soundstage that mimics a full surround system.

Why listen to music through only two speakers when you have five? Simple. It sounds 100% better. Stereo music is recorded in the studio with two channel audio playback in mind. Anytime you play a two-channel source and make the processor in your receiver put it through the center and surround speakers, it's losing sound quality through the heavy manipulation process. The proof of this is the lack of a coherent soundstage when 2-channel music is played in a surround format. While a surround mode may make your music sound fuller, it won't be near as accurate when using only the main left and right speakers.

With proper speaker placement and a center seat, your stereo CDs will never sound better. Singers will be center stage with band members surrounding with an openness that false surround sound cannot simulate.

Of course, your stereo experience will depend greatly on the quality of you main left and right speakers. If your using budget speakers you may be surprised how detailed they can go, but better speakers will almost always offer a better stereo experience. The problem lies more with matching your speakers together for both home theater and music. Since you want your speakers to match, high-end stereo speakers will call for spending equally as much on the center and surrounds thus increasing the cost. You can have a little nicer main channels than the center and surrounds, but it's hard to deviate too far without comprimising the balance.

If you're not interested in 2-channel stereo music and prefer your false surround musical listening tastes, by all means, listen to it the way you like. It's your system. If you do have an interest you might be surprised to find out how well your system can perform in just pure stereo mode. 2-channel stereo offers all the effects of surround sound when sitting in the "sweetspot" or center of the main speakers. You can actually hear sound from behind you.

All this sound quality is at the whim of the sound recording artist. Some CDs are recorded better than others with lesser CDs sounding downright awful. Most CDs are produced decent to great with only a few that are absolutely terrible. It's amazing how well music of the 60's holds up to the stereo recordings of today.

The future of 2-channel audio may not be around forever. High quality, high-definition audio is right around the corner with DTS audio CDs, SACD, and DVD-A. A properly recorded surround format music CD/DVD can sound just as good as, and often times better, than the best recorded 2-channel music CD.

The biggest advantage besides hearing more musical information is that there is no longer the need to sit in the "sweetspot" to hear the awesome sound. Everyone in the room can enjoy the soundstage and musical nuances.

The disadvantage is that since SACD and DVD-A are high definition sources they require an complete 5.1 input connection to your receiver or processor. Many people's gear doesn't support this type of connection. Both SACD and DVD-A are backward compatible by offering a mixed-down low resolution 5.1 and stereo version on the same disc, but who'd pay $20 for a low resolution CD they could get for $10-$12?

DTS audio offers the most compatible solution with many homes able to play the format already. While it may not be as high definition as SACD or DVD-A, it definitely offers breathtaking sound quality.

2-channel music will be around for the next 10 years or so, unless everyone switches formats and replaces their expansive CD collections which is very unlikely. You owe it to yourself to give your 2-main speakers a workout and listen to true stereo sound. You may be surprised at where the music will take you.