Have you ever used a separate speaker selector unit to audition speakers? Would you?


I'm anticipating a big "bake-off" between speakers competing for my affection. I have a tube amp that requires shut down, short break, between speaker changes. So, I'm thinking of getting a speaker selector box to do this. I don't want to spend a mint, but if the speakers are multi-thousand, it seems that spending a little money to really compare them might be worth it.

I know that such interpositions of wires and hardware degrades the sound. But this would be done to all speakers being compared -- so it would remain a level playing field.

Of course, if it trashes them all, then no comparisons can really be done.

Any thoughts about auditioning speakers at home with a speaker selector box?
128x128hilde45
   "I have a tube amp that requires shut down, short break, between speaker changes"

What is the reason for the shut down? 


Variables.  Different speaker cable, different positioning, not giving your speakers enough room to breathe...  one pair might sound better closer to the wall, wider spacing, less toe in...  
possible negative results due to one pair moving the drivers on the pair not in use?


@b_limo Thanks for giving a reason and not just an opinion.
@tablejockey I've been instructed not to turn tube amps off and then immediately back on but to give them a couple minutes. Folks have reported burning out rectifiers doing this.

You are correct about the amps.  Five minutes at minimum is a good starting point.  
@hilde45  "I have a tube amp that requires shut down, short break, between speaker changes"

@tablejockey "What is the reason for the shut down?"


OP runs tube amps.  Not a good idea to hot-disconnect and operate a valve/tube amplifier without a load. Without a load on the secondary, the output transformer primary presents a high impedance load to the output tubes, resulting in higher-than-normal voltages that can damage the tubes and/or transformer. Damage is likely if you operate the amplifier with a large input signal but no load. Might get away with it if there is no input signal and not recommended for most tube amps.