Real's crap is easy to deal with: once you install, go to the Run sections of the registry and remove all Real related items. This way it will only have its software loaded when you are actually using it, instead of loading parts at startup and running in the background.
However if I remember correctly the ear can perceive the location of a sound to within 1 degree is this correct?
Not with the phase distortions of common speaker/room setups.