I do agree with you there. I would never bother with the subbed version of Cowboy Bebop or Big O because the dubs are amazing and convenient. My preference for subs mostly lies in the fact that my favorite shows have gotten horrible dubs with very ill-fitting casting. (And I will admit, if I wasn't watching subs on a computer I would get fed the hell up, because I'm constantly pausing to read, even if I don't realize it.)

So yes, as you say, there is a lot of merit to dubs.