Audio stores in my area...

Two things to try: (1) log in to the Stereophile web site www.stereophile.com, go to "Links 2 Die 4," click on "Equipment Dealers," then "California," where dealers are listed alphabetically by name, but their locations are identified in parentheses. There doesn't seem to be one in Lodi, but maybe you will recognize some of the locations listed as close to you. (2) Go the the web site of a high end manufacturer that you are interested in and pull up their dealer locator -- most of them have one -- and hopefully there's one that's relatively close to you. Good luck!

If you want to email me I might be able to help as Im in Modesto.

Jcdem,

In Lodi, you're not far at all from the East Bay and South Bay, so you should have no trouble finding the majority of speaker lines to hear. There are many high end shops in this area, and in addition, numbers of private or home dealers carrying some of the more exotic lines. A few for starters -
Music Lovers Audio (Berkeley)
San Francisco Stereo (Berkeley, San Francisco &
South Bay)
Bay Area Audio (San Jose)
The Analog Room (San Jose)
Audible Difference (Palo Alto)
And lots of others. By all means take advantage of these places, its worth the 1 hour drive. In fact, there are so many audio dealers, manufacturers, and designers in this area that you can get a lot of help in finding and narrowing down your choices once you get out and start talking to people.
Good luck.