Ambisonic Surround Sound FAQ, version 2.8: Section 19

19. If Ambisonics is so wonderful, why is it not a commercial success?

We should first note that technical excellence and commercial success do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. This is why you are all watching VHS video tapes and not Betamax.

Ambisonics has suffered from the following:

It came to market just as quadraphonics was dying away. Manufacturers had lost a bundle on quadraphonics and were not receptive to "yet another" surround sound system.
It was never supported by a major record company. The record majors had all backed different quadraphonic systems.
The rights were held by the National Research Development Corporation, now defunct. This was a sort of venture capital company, but one owned and run by the British government. The NRDC has little commercial nous. (Yes "nous", look it up.)
Ambisonics is thought of as a "purist" technique and not applicable to multi-track studio recording. This fallacy is demolished by The Alan Parson's Project Stereotomy, Arista 8384.
While Ambisonics can lend itself to the impressive ping-pung-pang-pong effects beloved by salespeople, it is usually used with more subtlety. This makes it difficult to sell.
It is British, ie, not invented in the USA or Japan.
It is British, ie, not well marketed.