Lots of theory and points.
However, there is no good system for music and bad for movies. A bad system for music is equally bad for movies and vice-a-versa. If you setup a good system, it will be good for both. However, if you want to set it up for movies, there is an additional requirement, although it's optional. For movies, THX specifies that your system should be able to do 85db + 20 db dynamic headroom (for explosions etc). That needs the amp also to be certified if it needs the THX logo. Now, if any system can qualify for that, it will be equally qualified for music as well. I am doubtful if anyone can listen to the system at 85 db for long time. More likely at 70~75 db.
So why the distinction? When setting up the system for movies, people tend to put the subwoofer where room gain is highest, usually the corner. This is done so that you get more bass without having too much power. Also, its a tendency for people to turn up the bass. It sounds fine for movies, but for music. It will make the sub over-powering the mains and makes the music sound too much boomy. Then the entire blame goes to the system. In case of music setup, most likely there is no subwoofer. So, there is no question of one frequencies dominating others as much. Naturally then people prefer a 2 channel setup. But think - What will happen if they put the floorstanding speakers very much near walls or in the corner. Won't it sound boomy?
If one were to take the subs, place those in the midpoint of room, match levels correctly with mains, then it won't be boomy. If it blends perfectly, then the system is as good for the music. For the movies, you need 3 good mains (Left, center and right). You can have smaller surrounds as those are for ambiance. If there are 3 good mains, then those should meet the music needs as well.
As for Floorstander vs bookshelf speakers - there have been lots of discussions. Same logic applies here. There are bad speakers in both categories and good speakers in both. We can't generalize that FS is better or BS is better. I have a BS speaker with 5" mid-range and 10" woofer. Such speaker will definitely put a FS speaker with even two 6.5" woofers to shame. So, no need to get hang up on generalization.
However, there is no good system for music and bad for movies. A bad system for music is equally bad for movies and vice-a-versa. If you setup a good system, it will be good for both. However, if you want to set it up for movies, there is an additional requirement, although it's optional. For movies, THX specifies that your system should be able to do 85db + 20 db dynamic headroom (for explosions etc). That needs the amp also to be certified if it needs the THX logo. Now, if any system can qualify for that, it will be equally qualified for music as well. I am doubtful if anyone can listen to the system at 85 db for long time. More likely at 70~75 db.
So why the distinction? When setting up the system for movies, people tend to put the subwoofer where room gain is highest, usually the corner. This is done so that you get more bass without having too much power. Also, its a tendency for people to turn up the bass. It sounds fine for movies, but for music. It will make the sub over-powering the mains and makes the music sound too much boomy. Then the entire blame goes to the system. In case of music setup, most likely there is no subwoofer. So, there is no question of one frequencies dominating others as much. Naturally then people prefer a 2 channel setup. But think - What will happen if they put the floorstanding speakers very much near walls or in the corner. Won't it sound boomy?
If one were to take the subs, place those in the midpoint of room, match levels correctly with mains, then it won't be boomy. If it blends perfectly, then the system is as good for the music. For the movies, you need 3 good mains (Left, center and right). You can have smaller surrounds as those are for ambiance. If there are 3 good mains, then those should meet the music needs as well.
As for Floorstander vs bookshelf speakers - there have been lots of discussions. Same logic applies here. There are bad speakers in both categories and good speakers in both. We can't generalize that FS is better or BS is better. I have a BS speaker with 5" mid-range and 10" woofer. Such speaker will definitely put a FS speaker with even two 6.5" woofers to shame. So, no need to get hang up on generalization.
