@freediver
The part about horrible listening conditions at dealers is mostly true.
I understand what you’re trying to say, but to be honest, you don’t need a very resolving/high-end/or even spot-on accurate system to enjoy music on...unless you’re doing audio-related work.
Here’s a story...
A few years ago, I travelled to the South Pacific (Fiji) an 11 hour filght with some family.
I left all my headphones and systems back home. Didn’t even bring a half-decent pair of headphones to listen to on the plane. At the airport, I bought a $7 pair of on-ear headphones. 30mm drivers, midrange heavy, not tonally accurate at all. But also, no distortion that I could hear.
While on the flight, I listened to and actually enjoyed countless songs...because it was all about how the music made me feel. Sure, it wasn’t spot-on accurate, but I didn’t care. The lack-luster sound quality eventually grew on me...and I was happy using these headphones on the flight back.
Upon arriving home, plugged in my systems and had a listen with some proper headphones. Took one look at the $7 headphones, burst in to loud laughter, and continued my listening session.
All you really need to enjoy music with is a speaker system and/or headphone system that resolves music in a warm, fairly neutral, and non-clinical way. You can build a system for very little money that does exactly those things. And it will keep you satisifed...unless you keep chasing perfection. I've heard/owned other systems that are brutally accurate - and let's just say all of the imperfections found in music attack your ears and make the listening session painful. So just kick back, and enjoy the music!
