Horrific Confession and Question


While shopping for classical music in one of the mega retailers recently, I found myself quite carried away by whatever they were playing, finding the selection as well as the sound very pleasing. At the risk of never being allowed to post on this forum again, I am ashamed to admit that I discovered I was listening to BOSE mini speakers which were sticking out haphazardly from the ceiling. This leads me to wonder if background listening presents totally different challenges than focused, attentive listening. Against my audiophile background and judgement, I am wondering if I should install boomier "mid-fi" gear for multi room and entertaining guests when I renovate the house. Any thoughts?
constantinegustavia6142
My confession is that I love my B&O 4000 System + 6000 Beolab speakers. I have these speakers in the masterbedroom and our two home offices they look great and deliver very satisfying background music for those environments. Of course it doesn't sound as good as my main audio system or even my home theater system, but it is great design and fits my objectives.
Just as a side note, I was shopping at Musicland in a mall before Christmas a few years ago, looking for new material. Background music playing, crowds making noise, cash registers going, you know, the works. I was about half way to the back when I heard something. Live music! Had to cock my head to figure out where it was coming from and walked that way, out of the store, around a corner and up a floor. It was a high school orchestra, playing Christmas songs and was able to cut thru all the din. I was genuinely surprised that it really is tough to fool your ears.
Danvet -- thank you for the description of your waiting room. What I have been thinking, much to my horror, is that boomy mid fi might actually, in a perverse, horrific way, "sound" (work?!) "better" in a multi room or background music application than more accurate high end. I will always go out of my way to trash the greedy Dr Bose and his pseudo scientific expertise, and I will keep my tubes and electrostatics for dedicated listening forever. But I have had difficulty getting my high end gear to sound right amidst background noise, guests, off axis etc. Given the technical and acoustic challenges of background music for entertaining, cleaning whatever, maybe we can explore an audiophile solution? Cello parametric equalizers to boost the mid bass with high end quality? LS35as in every corner of every room?
Funny Constantine, I experience a similar feeling every time I go to Tower records Classical section. I am overcome by the lush music and become weak in the knees(Really!). All through the piped music thru ceiling mounted Boses. Similar experience at a Best buy while browsing for CDs, I always find myself humming or bobbing or thumping with the music. They play thru Boses two! I was also horrified to admit to myself let alone ask on the Audigon!What you are experiencing is probably right time and right place away from home scenario. Or MAY BE BOSE SPEAKERS ARE MUSICAL. My friend has Bose speakers and at a party I always find myself grooving /dancing with the music. THERE I SAID IT.(P.S. I OWN PAIR OF DUNLAVY SC-V's)
Constantine, I should mention again that the PSB Alpha A/V's sound very good with the volume up to where you would have it for a party. The PSB Mites are supposed to be very good for their size, as well. I think all the little PSB's are 6 ohm. Or maybe you should get a few of those Maggie MMG's with a BIG amp and corner mount them somehow. I bet that would get their attention, huh? [:)] Good Luck. Charlie