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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
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. 
aburnhamuu
51 posts
 
Since BOTH speakers go through the unit, a comparison would still be valid.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@aburn Well, that is one key point of contention, and you can see I've pointed to it a couple times in previous posts. You can also see different arguments for and against the usefulness of the proposal. Rather than rehash that material, I would just suggest reading the thread from the beginning.
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