That's not quite true. There are a pair of subs directly to the sides and a pair or speakers slightly behind that.

True enough, I meant one thing and type something else. I should have typed: I think this article has pertinence to this thread. It is about the Audyssey EQ, but on page two they talk about a 10.2 surround format and only one channel is added in the rear the rest of the added channels are across the front sound stage.