More channels might be the secret. Although I'm a two-channel die-hard, I
can understand the possibility that more speakers might envelop the listener
more than just two, thereby reducing the urge to crank up the volume...

"Harry Lavo" wrote in message
...
"Robert C. Lang" wrote in message
newsirBb.348039$275.1145577@attbi_s53...

snip, not relevant to point

One thing for certain I have found that as I have learned to turn the
volume down (although still a little louder than reality in most
situations) my system becomes seemingly even more resolving and I
enjoy the music more.

I have found the same thing when playing multichannel symphonic music
especially. My guess is I do now listen at realistic levels, and the
sound
is "just right". Yet it can coexist with the neighbors nicely and I don't
feel I'm missing a thing.