Not Enough Options for Auditioning Speakers


am in the market for a great two channel music system. They will be set up in a dedicated listening room that is 12'x17'x9'. The room is carpeted but not treated.

My budget is around $15k-$20k for speakers, wires, amp+preamp (or integrated).

I prefer towers as I like the full range and have had bad luck with integrating a sub. I started my search with B&W 805's and Sonus Faber Olympica I's (which are still on my short list)

My problem is that most of the dealers in my area do not carry very many brands, so it is hard to compare. I cannot even find one that carries the KEF reference.

I am leaning right now to the Sonus Faber Olympica III's but also really like the B&W 803 D3. I wish I could hear them side by side. The dealer with the SF's is great and has let me do home testing with several speakers and he is recommending the Olympica's.

I read a lot online about auditioning several different speakers but cannot find any place in central Florida that has most of the lines they are suggesting. I know if I pick the SF Olympica's I will be very happy, but I have not even heard the III's! I am just a little frustrated that the consistent advice is to listen to a lot of others, but I can't.

Am I the only one with this problem?

Thanks!
-Mobius
mobiusmu
@mobiusmu,

You may wanna check Salk Sound, I heard them at AXPONA this year. Fabulous sound and choice of exquisite wood grain. 

http://www.salksound.com/type.php?format=Floorstanding

I believe they do offer in-home trial. 


It's possible that you really will have to travel to hear demonstrations of specific loudspeakers.  It's just the way it is.  Call ahead and make arrangements.

I'm surprised no one has recommended that brand that makes all other loudspeakers obsolete.
You are probably going to have to go to S. Florida or Atlanta to find shops with more brands to audition. Can you take a few days off? It will not only be fun, but you will learn a lot about what you like.
Bob
I bought Hyperion HPS-938 speakers without audition (3 month old dealer demo) based on glowing reviews.  Hyperion showed them only once in 2004, did not advertise and had very poor dealership base.  Closest dealer to Chicago was in Pennsylvania.  Hyperion Sound had fantastic product with no place to audition it (3 dealers in whole USA) and went bankrupt.  Speakers are still great but I'm worrying about future service.  Next time I won't buy anything from less known or hard to audition company.
http://www.hyperionsound.com/Images/HP%20938.jpg