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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
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.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@ebm I think we’re agreed on that.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
If it's just being used to audition/compare speakers, rather than use them in-house long-term, if the different speakers are all hooked up to it, doesn't that level the playing-field?
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