Agree, except for the fact that in cruise, we are usually already using the speaker at a perfect work volume and the headset is on the sidewall.
I can understand they increase the speaker volume so they can follow ATC calls "somewhat" from the galley (we're freight) and fear I might fall asleep or even dead. But in 99% of the cases that doesn't happen and I end up blowing my ears either because ATC calls or because my mike goes into feedback when I need to report.
I sometimes do the same thing with box 2 on 121.5 (especially when both of us start to feel tired and I go to stretch my legs). But box 1?