It is actually, for developers and people who need apps which only run under Windows (of which there are very few). I was really really surprised at the extent of software available for Macs. In fact, I'd go as far as saying there is more high quality freeware available for OS X than there is for Windows. Generally in Windows, what freeware is out there

Just for stereo listening? Didn't read the initial post thoroughly enough! Definitely not. You'll end up with all sorts of strange things going on, comb filtering, phase distortion, and among other things, more chances for resonances and standing waves. Honestly, get a pair of BeoLab 9s or 5s, you will not look back. More BeoLab 8000s will result in

From a design point of view, I'd have the 8000s either side of the AV9000. The 6000s would look too slim in comparison to the size of the AV9000. BeoLab 3s would look wrong IMO. There are then, as Martin says, the huge sonic differences between the 6000s and the 8000s. 8000s can sound wonderful with classical and jazz music.

It definitely sounds better in most situations. However, a truly exceptional pair of speakers like the BeoLab 5s or 9s or some of the other speakers on the market with special imaging attributes don't need a centre channel at all IMO, the 'phantom image' is more solid than you could possibly want. You'll be a better judge than me though, I don't own

You say about Microsoft though, you do realise 'Microsoft' is no longer an entity, but in fact a collection of completely individually managed and funded companies? One company makes Office and a lot of M$'s server software, another makes Windows, another (called Live Labs) manages all their social networking stuff and their gaming section obviously

I agree with Soundproof to a point, but when BeoLab 5s, 9s or maybe 3s are used, there is no need IMO! I find the extra speaker just creates 'lumps' in the soundstage and tends to reduce depth (how far a sound can appear to come from behind the speakers, or right in front of your face). I'll take this chance to point out that more speakers does not

Beolab: ( And everyone think buy BL5 or BL9!!!, but why go with the main stream and think rationally when you can go against the stream and think irrationally Because BeoLab 9s would perform to a MUCH higher level. More speakers doesn't mean better sound quality, it just means more sound. A pair of BeoLab 2s in pretty much any normal sized room would

Peter: Actually the reason it often doesn't work is because people use third party software that stops it from working the way it should! After the stories on the web, I was going to do an archive and Install, but pressed the wrong button so did an Upgrade and it seems to be just fine! True, but often that software is related to drivers and therefore

Needs 'http://' preceding it...

Gawd you're irritating!