How do you listen?

The vast majority of my listening is in what you refer to as "proper audiophilism", but that has as much to do with the types of music I listen to, as much as wanting to hear it from the best position.

Pretty much the types of music I listen to, revolve around music that is decidedly NOT conducive to multitasking. To get the most out of, It requires concentration, and sometimes, even a bit of work.

I listen to music* that tends to be complex, offers a broad range of emotional content, has a very high level of musicianship, changes: tempo, dynamics, rhythm, time signatures, chord progressions, over an extended period of time.

And much of what occurs later in the music, is specifically based on what occurred earlier. 

So, if I was multitasking, I would most likely miss subtleties, and not so subtleties, in the complete piece of music. If there is some musical resolution, and I missed the portion of music that is being resolved, it would come off as emotionally flat, for example.

So yeah, I make an effort to have a specific time period to sit down, and do nothing but actively listen. It is always worth the effort.

*progressive and avant-garde forms of jazz, contemporary, and older forms. Fusion, avant-garde, post bop, chamber jazz.

*contemporary, avant-garde classical music. Usually pretty thorny sounding stuff.

*classic and contemporary prog, avant-prog, Zeuhl, Canterbury, prog-metal. 

I admit to sometimes following librettos when I listen to opera or lieder. Liner notes are often enlightening (and, ahem, fun), too. Petting the cat. Reading stereo magazines & high-end mail order catalogues to fuel my profligate tendencies and to chuckle at the hype. Ignoring the television blaring in the other room.  Ignoring phone calls. Doing hardnosed, hard-eared critiques of what I'm listening to. The tutties are too fruity! Is that original instrument ensemble purposely trying to sound sour? Why doesn't the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields get more respect? Sweeter string tone has never existed! Fist pumping. Dancing. Air-guitaring along with the Ramones. Gazing at the sunset through my window.

I guess I'm guilty of being proper audiophile. Total involvement with music is my only mode, performers in room sound quality and my music  choices just naturally invoke this frame of mind, no work required.

I leave multi tasking for music listening at work and car. And I don't have problem enjoying music with lesser sound quality, just lack the total involvement I get with main system. Late night sessions in totally blacked out dedicated room and a bit of bourbon also don't hurt!

OP, the question I think worth asking is: do you think music is worth your attention? and Do you want to leave this earth having never given yourself over to one of the deepest experiences one can have?

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. Seriously. Don't waste time with distraction. You never know. Live deeply, now.