RGA, in an attempt to make a point you entered into some big generalizations. There are too many variables to say a speaker will sound the same in any environment. I think as much as the room, folks want to bring the speakers home to hear if they have synergy with their system. As you said not many go into a store and buy a complete system.

When I first heard Dynaudio's Evidence I was impressed, the same store had the speaker again in a new building and I was wondering what was wrong. Both locations had the individual room motif. So I can't buy your theory. Just as your beloved Audio Note speakers aren't going to sound the same in every room Especially if the room had lack of wall enforcement. Or, panels wouldn't be good in my more narrow room.