This has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. Why do we strive for the very best in speakers when we cram them into sardine can rooms?
As mentioned above, few homes have exceptional listening rooms.
I was in one home located in Tuxedo Park, Harriman, NY. This entire area is loaded with very large multi-million dollar old homes. The particular mansion had a listening room that was simply spectacular and opened up into a cathedral ceilinged center staircase where 5 people could stand side by side on any one step and the ceilings were 40 feet high.
The treatments in the room were also spectacular with large tapestries and persian rugs hanging from the walls and very plush furnishings throughout. Seating for 30 people easily.
Now please don't laugh because I found it criminal. The only stereo in this room was a Bose Wave radio/CDP. The owner was not at all into music except that he played the Violin quite well.
I wanted so badly to bring some gear down just to set it up and rock this room for a while. The owner could easily afford anything and everything in my stable and the stable itself but has no interest and truely feels his radio is more then ample for the room.
Gary