Hey guys, sorry for the tumbleweeds blowing through SF. Had to take care of some personal business, you know how it is...

In any case, here's an interesting little article over at tech site Design Technica about an anti-7.1 movement. Or, at least, an intelligent argument for the HT industry not to push 6.1 and 7.1 systems as the "next big thing" that people "must have" and "get right now" or else they're "big losers."

With the marketing of 6.1 and 7.1 surround, the industry has decisively outwitted itself. It has convinced many consumers to buy new receivers and more speakers. But it has also undermined the 5.1-channel standard, which is more appropriate for the home, slowing the acceptance of surround sound in general.

Interestingly, there was some chatter in the hi-fi biz about pushing two channel home theater. Not gimmicky surround sound speakers, but a unified movement to say, "hey, why have 5-7 junk speakers with a garbage receiver when, for the same price, you could buy a decent stereo rig that sounds so much better!" Makes sense to me. Furthermore, how often do you hear dinosaurs stomping around behind you? Most of the time you're listening to music or TV anyway. HT is inherently a sound trick, not sound enjoyment, so why not pitch 2.0 as a much better bang for your buck?