If you are enthusiastic about sound quality, music only, what would you prefer? Get the best stereo speakers (2.0 or 2.1), or for the same money, get more speakers to have surround sound?

that kinda depends on what kind of amplifier you are hooking the speakers up to. If you add too many speakers to an amp or reciever that has low wattage your sound quality will decrease but with proper power a surround system would probly be better

I’d definitely prefer the 2.1 setup. The SACD and DVD-Audio formats both effectively failed, so there isn’t a ton of high-resolution multichannel music being produced. Instead of blowing a bunch of money on speakers and fancy electronics, get a nice pair of speakers and a good subwoofer.

second jasongarrett’s advice.

If you’re really and truly only listening to music, then higher quality 2.0 or 2.1 is by far the way to go. Music is only mixed in stereo (which is 2 channels [2.1 with sub woofer]), just as you only have two ears. You’ll want to make sure the speakers are placed a decent width apart so you get definite left and right signals (with your computer, around 2 feet apart – in your home stereo, at least 5 to 8 feet apart). That will give you the most accurate sound to your ears… that’s what professional studio mixers use to mix audio for a cd.

If you plan on using it for gaming or movies get the surround sound because you want the full experience of having sound all around you. If you plan on using it for music (mainly) get the 2.1(with sub) that way you can hear the deep bass and the way the music was meant to be played. If i were to choose i would pick the surround sound, and i have 6 complete surround stereo systems.

The last two answers NAILED it. It really depends on what you’re using the speakers for.