I agree with your post....back in the day, (early 70's) there was an attempt to improve on the standard stereo experience with "quadraphonic" 4 channel systems consisting of: four speakers, with a quad amp, and this required a special quad 4 chanel lp record as well.
This was a short lived effort that was unsucessful.
Today's 5.1 type "surround" sound is far superior for movie soundtracks recorded as such, and of course for home theater.
For most music...it's hard to top stereo, and the "soundstage" everyone is always talking about, when describing the sound quality.
