You wrote that you auditioned MBL and GP before. Were they auditioned in this room or in a regular room?
No, only at the dealer's demo room that was nothing like my own roon..
Have you thought about simply installing a second system for the dining area, instead? Maybe even in-ceiling speakers? This way you would not have to compromise for critical listening.
Yes, but they would be small speakers so the AG's bass enclosures might as well act as subs when the second set is working. I may give this more serious consideration, but frankly when I'm using the dinng area, I'm normally with friends so any music can be considered as background music where the lack of fidelity is probably an advantage if conversation is valued!
