Living room is listening room also. Which, as you note, leads to a complicated set of compromises. But, like you, I think I'd feel funny stuck off in a back corner room alone with all my stereo gear in a big mess, even though all perfectly positioned, etc., etc. The nice thing about the living room is that it connects right up to the kitchen, and I rather enjoy cranking up the system while I'm cooking and later eating some complicated concoction (with a glass of wine in one hand, of course).