At first, I was annoyed by it because I didn't really understand what was going on. Then I thought it was pretty smart because of the reasons you mention. It is a very clever way to wire front speakers without having to run new cords. I just wish Worst Buy would have given me some sort of write up so I knew that was how it was wired.

I think the alternator whine had to do with the speakers more than anything. The ground didn't help but not having wires sheilded properly at the speaker level I believe might have been the main culprit. Anyways, all is well now and I can't want to get the tuner in there too. Car Talk in my car, what a concept.