Horrific Confession and Question

Try the Gallo speakers. Small size, BIG sound, less money, more style!!

When listening to radio, mostly as background, I prefer the "5 channel stereo" mode of my Denon AVR-5700. Although accurate imaging is lost I get a more pleasing ambience. This helps me to concentrate on something other than the sound of my stereo. When something interesting attracts my attention I will switch to stereo. I have also noticed that the 5 channel set up works well at low volumes for ambient party music.

As to the "mystery" of why sound can be so inviting in a public environment (Tower?). It reminds me of the feeling of anticipation I get when approaching the doors of a concert hall and hearing the sound check, or musicians tuning, there is a little adrenaline rush. In retail environments sound is usually up high and seems a bit distant, in much the same way. The size of the store is also a factor. Usually at least 10 - 100 times the size of most listening rooms. When you enter the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Friday evenings there is often a quartet playing near the lounge. The sound is everywhere, but difficult to locate. It must be similar to the sound at the court of Louis XIV at Versailles. Seeking out the source of the music is an exhilarating feeling, not to mention the effect and magic of large spaces. Though far from equal, there is a similarity when hearing music in some retail stores. * cLondon, check out a Denon receiver with 5 channel stereo mode and Gallo speakers, they are small, sleekly designed and knock the Bose systems out. The 5 channel mode basically gives you the same sound from 5 speakers, (different from Pro-logic). I also have a friend who has a very good stereo system and a B & O wall mounted system as well. It is overpriced, but served his need for an unobtrusive but decent sound system for entertaning guests and for casual listening. In his very tight living space it was a stylish solution. The road to discovering what good sound is can begin for some people on a Bose system, because if they they are willing to spend some money towards a good sound sound system, (even if they may not know what good sound is yet), sometimes, given a few years they will be curious about some much better sounding gear they will hear somewhere and want to get it for themselves, beginning a more serious interest in HiFi.

I agree with Cwlondon and Cornfedboy about lack of truth in marketing. As to your question: I have some friends who are very successful in business. One is an entreprenuer, one a screenwriter/producer, one a consultant/farmer. I have known them for 65 years collectively, and not once in all their endeavors did I see them screw anyone. This does not mean they are woosey little do gooders, it means that their success lied in their integrity and quality of their work. Many people want success at any price, some prefer to earn it. Sooner or later a good leader emerges in politics, let's hope he or she doesn't get killed this time.