I want to get others' impressions of the 5/7 channel stereo setting for serious music listening. This mode keeps growing on me and my 2-channel mindset!

I would imagine it depends on what type of music you listen to "seriously" in these modes. Classical music in these modes sounds horrible. Rock sounds better.

About the only time I use 7 channel stereo is if I have something to do around the house. I will leave the door to the theater room open so I can hear some music. The seven channel gives a nice full sound and its easy to hear. When ever I sit to listen to music,its only 2-channel.

Well, I think classical sounds great and rock sound terrible

Basicly the only time I use it, is for Satelite when the material is not PL based, and SPM's are not having any effect on the soundtrack for an action adventure type flim.

DPLII does not have anything to work with, and basicly your hearing the flim poorly distributed just in your fronts. Then I'll throw it into 6 stereo mode to 'fake me out' that its a surround experince.
I do occasionaly use Dobemans method, for CD's, to better listen when I'm moving around the house but this can depend on the CD. Many still sound better even listening off, - around the house, on 2-channel.

For me, that *is* 2 channel stereo listening.

I'd try DPL II before 5 channel stereo. I'd only use that for maybe a party or something where you want sound everywhere, but you don't care much about the quality (i.e., soundstage, imaging, faithfulness to the original recording, etc.)