Mark,
I've heard arrays of reference speakers professionally balanced and placed in recording studios and radio engineering rooms. It really helps in hearing exactly what's going out on the air (without adding in effects, exaggerated bass, etc) but sadly, it doesn't help me pick out orchestral instruments. I don't have much trouble picking out different guitars in a rock situation, but that's mostly because it's my prefered musical choice. I understand the draw to classical, I just don't share in it.
As for actively listening - not in the least. If I'm listening critically in a mixdown environment, then yes (and even then I take "smoke breaks" every 20 minutes or so to "cleanse my ear pallette")... but as for listening while doing other work, no, I'll be waiting for a favorite song on a disc and completely miss that it was even played.
Bren R.
