I don't think "speaker companies" started multi-channel, or H/T, but are "riding the wave".
Axiom, I noticed have changed their header from Axiom loudspeakers, to: Axiom home theaters, and they list H/T first on this forum, BUT...if there is any "push", so to speak..it's (IMO) from the receiver folks,... you know 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, can 12.1 be far behind?

LIFE: "Choices, balance, and timing"

(Larryism)