Helping friends/relatives with system purchases, your experience.

I helped my senior neighbor across the street with a multi-music system for his home. Casual listening in three rooms/spaces, living, dining and back deck. We shopped for a Sonos satellite speaker system and he luvs it. It all is controlled from his iphone app. Now he entertains family and friends and each area can play music.

I never have a problem making a recommendation for a choice of which is the best Alexa model.  Nobody interested in much more.  kids.

I gave up after a few tries. Everyone is so different, just let them listen.

When my sister decided she wanted a separates system all of her own, she asked me for some advice. I suggested a pair of Harbeth SLH5s after reading nothing but praise for them.
 

After a couple of careful home auditions she ended up buying a pair of original JBL L100s.

She's loved those speakers ever since.

She's also had very little respect for my opinions on audio ever since!

Apparently my tastes are a little too safe and boring.

I've given advice to friends looking to upgrade their listening system, and it's worked out fine. I generally recommend things they can listen to at a local store, or online retailers who will accept returns if necessary...