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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
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Serious point, nowhere near as snarky as it sounds, but when if ever you do get around to actually comparing speakers you will find they are so different in so many ways the whole idea of switching back and forth will seem silly. This is because the range of sonic attributes is essentially endless. Pick any one or two or ten and you can flip back and forth oh this one no that one. But is this anything like what you do when you listen to music? Sure hope not. More likely what you really want is to be carried away. So how are you gonna evaluate that flipping back and forth? Right. You’re not. Can’t.

So why even try?
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@miller Hearing your comment as not snarky. Thank you.
I had supposed that if I narrowed speakers down to fairly similar types, the quick switch would be one additional tool to help make some distinctions.

I thought in the past that I had gained *something* by switching, but I would be willing to stipulate that I was not really learning what I thought I was learning. I may learn something by supposing I was mistaken.

You are saying that there is absolutely nothing to gain by using this kind of comparison.

The only question left, it seems, is for anyone else reading this thread, still: Did YOU learn anything by quick switching? 
aburnhamuu
51 posts
 
I have been using an OSD ATM-7 for a couple of years, with its remote you can switch up to 7 pairs of speakers and 2 amps. Great for comparing speakers instantly from your listening position.
rrcpa
37 posts
 
DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY. I tried it and this is what I learned.
I have a Bryston box and as those things go it’s as good as any but... they all are an abomination. After spending ridiculous amount of money on cabling, you are going to introduce one of these absolute sonic weak links into the signal path?
Why would you want to run your signal through one of those and make a judgement call when you wouldn’t want to run your signal through it all the time?
Besides, there is no way to make meaningful judgements A/B ing speakers. You have to listen for extended periods.
Take two minutes and swap the cables. Your ears will thank you and you’ll save money to boot. My .02


hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@rrcpa I'm convinced. 
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