NORMAL cds sound best on a 2.1 system DVDs and DVD audio best on a 5.1 system Now what I did was build around both worlds sure its not perfect ethier way DVDs sound like azz when played through 2.1 and normal cds the oposite. my system is as follows panasonic cdq6505u dvd with 5.1 built in allows me to turn off any channels or processes I want front amp alpine mrf250 4/channel bridged to my fronts 100watts each front speakers CDT hd 6.5 rear and center amp alpine mrf250 4/channel 2 channels bridged to the center 100watts, and 2 channels stereo to the rears 40watts each sub amp elemental designs 9.2 bridged to 4ohm 400watts sub a single 4 ohm sound splinter RL-i8 sealed at .5 cuft most of the time its cds with just the front speakers and sub running