Well actually what we mean is that some content is not in stereo and therefore you have a missing component.

You can always set your system to dolby sorround even though you dont have the speakers for it, but what will happen is that you will miss a Channel.

So lets say you are watching 5.1 content over 2 speakers and your amp does not break it down for you, you will be hearing the content of the people speaking weirdly low and all effects REALLY loud.

This is because your tv is trying to send you audio on a speaker you are laking and thus it swallows it. This makes the voices of characters sound further away and can be freaky :D