When I go to have coffee, it is not likely to be a casual cup. The coffee, being the main event, is important, but not much more than the environment. Too much noise, crappy music in the background, or worse, two different sources of music playing at the same time. You get the idea, so that would be my point for the listening environment as well. A previous poster did comment that the lights are dimmed just before the orchestra plays. Enticing the mood has it's merits to me.
Bright or Dim?
Have you ever noticed that when listening to music in your listening area that music seems to sound better with the lights down? To me there is a rather noticeable difference. Could be just in my mind because that's how I like to listen, or is it something more biological/scientific than that? Could it be that the lessoning of one sense enhances the other? Maybe it's just me. Anyway I thought I would see if anyone else has the same experience. Im sure if there is an actual reason for this phenomena, that someone on this forum will have the answer :)