Hi-end audio is a big zero
This is no knock on dealers, It's just how hi-end audio is.
I go listen to some speakers. He has them set up like crap - jammed between 3 other pair. Running on electronics I would never choose so I have to try and compensate for what I imagine they are contributing to the sound. Then after 30 minutes, I am expected to shell out the $4,500.00.
I narrowed it down to two transports from an online retailer. And who knows if those 2 are even a good choice? Told point blank, I am not allowed to buy both and return the one I don''t want. Just pick one and buy it. Shell out $1,000-$3,500 based on what?
One e-tailer will allow purchase 3 speakers totally $12K and return the two I don't want. Sorry, i have a conscience and can't do it to him.
Read all you want. Talk all you want. Listen at dealers all you want. But unless you listen in your own room, it's all meaningless. I'm talking even just 5 to 30 minutes can be all it takes. But that is basically impossible.
Sure you can buy and sell on A-gon or Ebay if you find what you want have the time to go through the process.
If the prices weren't so high or I did not care about sound quality maybe it would not matter.
@cdc $4,500 ain't hi-end. Just about into mid-fi. But you're quite correct; your dealer was crummy. Chuck him/her. Go to a dealer who lets you do a trial of a piece in your system and room for at least a week. And don't then go and buy the piece from a web-site. Form a lasting relationship with a decent dealer. |
Natural sound I went there there were not willing to discount and there was no audio room just rows of speakers ,they have been around for decades ,sand own the property you would think maybe to add a few rooms , Goodwin is better setup . You now though need to make a appointment to hear a specific item speakers like the Magico A5 , or Rockport entry level solid speakers little risk . speaker companies like Spatial Audio Labs ,very nice open baffle speakers with the excellent Beyma midrange-tweeter is very efficient and built in powered bass a great buy at under $10 k and have a 45 day home trial still ,I Believe. The owner Clayton Shaw has been pretty sick ,I hope he gets well soon ,he is one of the good guys in the Audio industry. |
I gave up on B&M years ago when I realized I was just wasting both our times. I wanted at home demos of a variety of equipment, listening to just the one brand they carried on my list just didn't cut it. At this point I realized I was going to have to become a complete diy in regard to assembling systems.
I was lucky in that I was old enough that I had lived through the golden age of B&M when dealers spent lots of time with me educating and allowing home demos, I also attended many shows and spent much time researching all things audio.
From this background, I began assembling a number of systems over the years, made mistakes, discovered my preferences. Over time I was able to assemble increasingly satisfying systems to point I may have my end game system.
With today's situation I'd have hard time relying on B&M for gaining knowledge and doing home demos. I'd have to do shows, do much research on line for educating myself and demo via used marketplace, keeping what I like, selling the rest. It's really golden age for diy system builder, not so good for those relying on dealers. The good thing is there are a lot of experienced audiophiles out there willing and able to help with system building, great resource, use them. |
