I agree with you and appreciate your enthusiasm! but I see one major problem.Yes, but not only that but other albums can get green lit for 5.1 because Pepper clued in folks to the magic of surround mixes.
Imagine someone buying the box with 5.1 surround Sgt Pepper - playing it through their home theater rig and being knocked out, then deciding to see what other albums can be purchased in surround. They discover Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis, Crimson, Jeff Beck, Blue Oyster Cult, Sly and the Family Stone, Doors, Chicago, BS&T and on and on. This is all news to them, and all because they were previously major Beatles fans, and not surround fans.
So this is great news for the 5.1 format for music, it will bring in more potential surround listeners to the fold, especially if the mix is a stunner.
I was thinking about a week ago that it is time for an earth shaking surround amouncement in 4.0 or 5.1. Then we get the Pepper 5.1 news!!!
It's very exciting and shows that surround for music refuses to roll over and die.
Cost.
I have been fortunate and bought a good handful of 5.1 recordings starting in the early 2000's and up through today. I've never paid more than $30 a title. However, as a consumer you have to jump on the initial releases because the manufacturers only do limited runs.
The is no more impressive 5.1 recording than Qudrophenia on Blu Ray. I think I bought it 12-16 months ago. $25. Out of curiosity, I googled it yesterday and found it selling for $200-$400! Best prices! This is but one example.
With Sgt Pepper, you have to go Deluxe pkg at $150 to get the 5.1 and new hi res stereo mix. I don't see the home theater enthusiast ( not bitten by the surround music bug yet) laying out that kind of money before They heard it.
Now, on the other hand, if I was the manager of a Magnolia dept in a Best Buy, I would do a little promotion.
A little investment for in store signage, maybe a local ad, and a special 5.1 audio listening area that would feature and highlight the new Sgt Pepper release. This would probably spark interest for more audio surround titles with Moms and Dads who already have surround systems. More importantly, as it did for me, it would drive me to upgrade my center and surround speakers. The cheaper surround stuff is often sufficient for movies, but tonaly matched speakers make a huge difference in surround music.