5.1 vs 4.1 speakers

[time]

In a small environment, such as a TV or computer, how important do people believe the extra center speaker to be?

It makes sense to me in a cinema, but I wonder if it's a bit redundant in home situations?

I'm also assuming that the separate bass channel is not going to be of any real significance, given that it's not directional anyway.

 

[Mercutio]

The center is IMO more important than the left and right surround. I like the increased directional separation and and having the full pan from left to right.
You can listen four yourself to the difference with most 5.1-capable receivers if you really want to.

 

[Pradeep]

I believe if you have a pair of front stereo speakers with excellent imaging, and sit exactly in the same position, right in the center of them, then a center speaker could be done away with. Es[ecially if you are a foot away from the computer screen/speakers. But if you are slightly off-axis, as you would be watching TV with friends, then a center speaker is going to give you much better panning as Merc said. Also you get a lot more dynamic sound with a center channel. Most of the audio in a multi-channel soundtrack comes thru the center. Spend most of your speaker budget on it. I dream of a nice electrostatic for neutrality

The .1 can be very useful, but only if you have a real subwoofer. Most of the shit that passes as computer subwoofers would have a hard time making any sounds below 80Hz, let alone 15-40Hz. 120Hz is not sub-bass IMHO.