The need for multi channel sound ( it is not stereo- stereo is technically two channels ) is mainly for movies and possibly for music played in concert halls. The surrounds produce reflected sounds to give the 'sound' of the hall. Their volume level will be very low. In movies they give direction to sounds to enhance the effect of the video. Things coming from the back or sides apart from frontal sounds.
However modern music sometimes comes as 5.1 channels. This is not the real use of the original multi channel. Multi channel for audio is akin to 3D in video.
However now people like some music coming from all around you. It's a modern fetish. Nothing to do with reality. It's just another form of artistic expression .
For the gentleman suggesting that one should try out 6 channel sound, it's a question of having been there and done it ...etc..!
I find great pleasure in plain well recorded stereo. Less clutter also and sane levels of sound. I have friends with multi channel systems capable of going very loud and shaking you up. It's all impressive for a while but it's slowly killing your ears irreversibly , especially the smaller children ! Enjoy it while you can !
Haven't you guys seen the posts by musicians who play very loud music. Most have lost part of their hearing and openly admit it. So be careful. Very loud is impressive ....but not good for you !
Have you noticed that plain two channel stereo at low volume can sound amazing. Multi channel sound is invariably played loud to have a significant effect. Use it for the movies. Possibly one of the reasons why many people separate their home theater system from their stereo music system ! However you can do what ever you like ! There are no real rules
Protect your ears. You need them to work well for a lifetime !
Edit: There might be some arguments about if stereo is only 2 channel or can be called stereo with more channels. It really does not matter. Additional channels were incorporated for 'surround' information. Hence the system would be stereo surround. That is two channel stereo WITH additional surround signals. I saw this on wikipedia:
" Dolby Surround (sometimes called Dolby Stereo Surround) and Dolby Digital 5.1 source material and up-convert it to 6.1 or 7.1 channel surround sound."
However this does not affect the enjoyment of sound and so it doesn't matter how you would like to call it ! Cheers .