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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
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
I have more or less accepted the answer that "quick switching" is not the way to go.
By accident, I heard this said this morning by Hans Beekhuyzen — don't switch quickly to evaluate speakers.
https://youtu.be/idxT7VVYyxo?t=523 
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dbphd
1,630 posts
 
What about switching between amps driving a single speaker?  I use an Ayre VX-5 Twenty stereo amp to drive KEF Reference 1s, but would like be able to switch easily to Cary single-ended monoblocks on occasion.  Any recommended switches for that? 
jetter
3,035 posts
 
hilde45, if you can purchase a good switcher at a reasonable price I can't see how using it, along with other means of evaluating speakers, is anything but another tool to help.  I don't think there are many audiophiles who don't understand the emphasized treble and bass routine at this stage of their audio lives, so to bring that up is a bit elementary.  Also, hearing the nuances of the sound of one speaker in near time proximity of another can be interesting and informative.

I do whole heartedly agree that long term listening will always tell how wise a choice you made.

Lastly, you do not get your feathers ruffled to easily the insinuation was there.  You are very diplomatic.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@dbphd Is this what you mean? https://sites.google.com/view/pine-tree-audio/devices/transparent-selector

Thanks, @jetter  I do think you're right -- it's another tool to use. I guess what I've learned is that it's not to be considered a primary tool. 
That said, I have read some interesting things about the ephemerality of aural memory from sources which are bona fide scientific and rigorous. It's not just me, questioning what I just heard. It's well-documented that aural memory is subject to many physical and mental sources of error.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
This will certainly degrade the entire sound.
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