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I can't speak for all 2-channel enthusiasts, but I'm not trying to replicate a club or concert sound system in my listening room.
Just like HT enthusiasts, many audiophiles have already experienced the benefits of multiple subwoofers. However, the 2-channel guys haven’t yet recognized the value of expanding their main speakers.
The problem with implementing multiple channels into music reproduction is the sheer cost of the endeavor. Most HT equipment sounds poor with music reproduction. Even the best processor is going to get handedly trounced by any competent stereo preamplifier IME. There are other mechanisms to adding presence channels, especially if using DSP, but doing it to the same quality level of a great 2-channel system becomes quickly cost prohibitive. All I know is the greatest reproduced sound I ever experienced was in a two-channel system. Never heard a multi-channel system come close. YMMV.
Your approach isn't wrong by any means. However, if you're not attempting to replicate live music, then what's your yardstick for exceptional sound in your listening room? Whatever it is, it's unnatural and that's precisely the point being made. But what if your system could sound better (however you define it) with a minimal investment of a pair of presence speakers? Would it be worth considering?
I've heard Early B's AudioKinesis system with and without the LCS speakers. The system is more dynamic, fuller and spacious with LCS than without. The improvement was obvious. I haven't heard his friend's system yet. As Early B has said, LCS is 2 channel audio just with more speakers. The extra speakers do not directly face the listener and are positioned so that their output arrives the listener delayed in time. There isn't any processing involved to create a separate signal like the various HT 7.1, 9.1 surround sound stuff. I don't think comparisons to surround sound systems are apt. I have played around with a LCS system since hearing Early B's system. My main speakers are GR Research Super 7s. I used Emotiva ERM-1 monitors as LCS speakers. I set the ERM1s about 3 feet behind and 2 feet to the outside of my main speakers facing directly up at the ceiling. I powered the ERM1s with a fantastic Folsom 7293 amp. My mains have their own monoblocks. Going into this I thought that adding 2 monitors that are clearly outclassed by my mains would drag the whole system down to their level but for the most part this didn't happen - I'll explain more about this a bit later. Sound quality-wise, the midbass was immediately better and soundstage depth increased without sacrificing the Super 7s ability to project solid 3d images towards the listener. Vocals had more body. Since I can quickly cut the Folsom amp on and off I was able to hear the differences without the delay of hooking and unhooking speakers etc. However, the biggest sonic beneficiary of adding LCS speakers to my system is how well it handles out of phase information and spatial cues. The Super 7s are already outstanding in this department but the added speakers focused out of phase information with greater precision - which doesn't make sense because this is out of phase information - but if the track has wrap around effects like Madonna's "Vogue" or Michael Jackson's "Jam" those effects now appear more solidly directly to your left, right, rear or above your head etc. Recording venue spatial cues are also more solid - this might be because spatial cues are also sometimes out of phase.The first downside to LCS, at least with the monitors I used, are that with some music the speakers can draw attention to themselves. I have not determined if this is because the ERM-1s have poorly braced, resonant cabinets or if I need to feed them frequencies above 150hz to 200 hz or both. When the resonant issue wasn't rearing its head I couldn't localize them at all, the ERMs added their positive benefits and nothing else. That was one of the most surprising things I have ever experienced with any addition to my system. This was all at low to moderately loud listening levels.The second downside I experienced was that at loud to very loud volume levels the benefits of the extra speakers dissipate - but again this was mainly because I could increasing localize them. At loud volumes the Super 7s sound better on their own. I might be able to remedy this with further tweaking.I have several other projects going on at the moment so the emotivas are not currently in my system. My plan is to put a high pass filter on them and place an attenuator between my preamp and the amp driving them (a minidsp 2x4 would be perfect for both). I could then permanently set the volume to say 70 percent of whatever the mains volume is and test various high pass frequencies. I think this would eliminate most of the issues I had with them. Then I could go about finding better (more inert) speakers to replace the emotivas. I would also bet that monitors with flatter frequency responses with tweeter crossover points a little lower than normal would be better in this application than speakers with midbass humps with woofers handling higher frequencies. If you have a spare set of monitors collecting dust you should try LCS out for kicks. People with systems that are a bit on the cooler side of neutral will probably benefit the most. YMMV.
I love a wide soundstage! Typically the soundstage is between the front speakers which is usually like 8', not wide enough for me. I use to use the short wall in my room and over time it bugged me. Not only the narrow soundstage but the reflections off the side walls was confining. I switched my set up to the long wall and now have a wide soundstage. My speakers are 15' apart which envelopes me sitting in the sweetspot and with the use of surround speakers in the corner enhances the wide sound.
I’m intrigued and have enough gear laying around to give it a try.
I'm going to try it, too. I have a little Class D Fosi amp with a volume control that I'll connect to the pre-outs of my Modwright KWH 225i integrated. I'll run cables from that to a pair of small 30-year old Infinities I have lying around. I'll start with the Infinities angled toward the ceiling and the volume very low, then just see what happens.
