A few years ago I went searching for a system to replace the dreaded “theatre in a box” that seemed to invade every home in about 2001.

I knew (from childhood memories) that music could definately sound better than it did at that time. But I initially sought to keep the 5.1 system because, well, because it just seemed to be everywhere.

I looked at some fine 5.1 systems of the time. Monitor Audio’s Radius system came close – it was certainly a light year away from the dross I had at home. But something was still not right – music just didn’t register like it should.

So on a lazy Sunday afternoon I wandered into LWA – I discussed my issue with one of their fine and calmly spoken staff (I think they’re all like this). He asked for my test CD, took me in a room and started with a Focal 706 bookshelf speaker.

I will never quite forget how a simple voice and piano track (Tori Amos) simply “entered” the centre of the room and stayed there. Warm, detailed, almost touchable. This, I remembered, is what music is like.

5.1 was junked and in the end I bought a pair of Orpheus Aurora 2. Every now and then a visitor asks me, “but what about surround? I usually play Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock and this ends the debate. If they persist with, “but what about movies?” I play the opening sequence of Sleepy Hollow. The rest is silence.