What are some good things to do when going to an audition

cleeds

There’s not much point to an in-person audition if you’re basing your decision on the audio from a smart phone. For that matter, why bother with high end audio at all if you’ll just be listening on your phone to things like YouTube?

1) Use a video cam if OP likes.

2) Use a headphone to hear cell phone (CP) recording.

2) Many hi-end audio videos in YT recorded by CP sound great. Use an external mic if avail.

3) Almost every sounds have a signature. ex.)One can id when he hears voice of their family even if the recording is bad. People know the sound of their audio system to compare sounds of others.

4) Many people (not everyone) can still understand which sound is better through inferior CP speakers. ex. 1) the world greatest audio system video vs. regular sound system video." ex. 2) "the world greatest audio system video vs. the original music."

What has OP got to lose anyway? The recordings could be a good reference.

Alex/Wavetouch

OP.  Bring the acoustic jazz CD   "Soular Energy" by the Ray Brown Trio. 

Full range piano and DEEP bass with brushes on the skins. Everything you need in a recording to evaluate a system.

Diana Krall's "Live in Paris" would be a great CD to bring as well for the female voice.

Bruce

Bring head shots.

@hilde45 

This is not something I can agree with.

I said: Don't audition anything you are not willing to purchase.

Not the best choice of words, please allow me to re-phrase/explain: I meant price range. It's so easy to get a broad sense of what is appealing from a personal cost / benefit analysis before going in. Then look around, ask some questions, and make an appointment to come back and dive deeper.

If it goes well, make a deal.  

@mofojo 

20% is not out of the ballpark at all and even more sometimes. I would start with something like 30% and get down to an agreement from there. Why would audio equipment be different from buying a car, house or anything else?

This model will make the dealer go broke unless you're shopping at BestBuy or Costco. 

At the retail level, high-end audio doesn't have the margins jewelry or furniture does: 500% vs 40% give or take.

And new car margins are even slimmer. The money is in the maintenance. 

As for houses, in desirable markets buyers are often paying over asking price.