Several weeks ago, a fellow audiophile friend and I spent about 3.5 hours in a shop doing some critical listening to several speakers I am considering for an upgrade for a 2 channel system. The 6T was one of them. First, we listened through a McIntosh MC275 tube amp (75 watts; probably more) and a MAC pre (can't remember model number). Then, we listened through a MAC MA5200 (100 watts; probably closer to 130). Source was an Oppo CD (can't remember model number). The 6T is a fantastic speaker! Sounded outstanding through both those amps! However, my friend and I both thought they sounded better, richer, fuller, more musical and less clinical through that MAC tube amp. They are still on my short list but only if I can get them as demos or a trade-in because $6,800.00 is above my set budget. Using them "mostly … for background and casual listening", in my opinion, would be very sad and a waste. These are outstanding speakers meant to be heard and enjoyed. If you love music and if you get these speakers I believe you will be doing a lot more than "casual listening" with them. They are an elegant looking slender speaker that, personally, I cannot imagine would run afoul of just about any room décor.