If you run into problems asking, call DeVore and ask if any of their dealers in your area allow in home auditions.
Convincing your local dealer to let you try speakers at home
So, I had a great experience listening to some Devore 0/96 speakers yesterday. The challenge for me is that the room I heard them in is wildly different than any other room I’d ever listen in. (I’ll share a photo, below.) I really have no idea if spending $13k plus on these speakers would work out. I’d need to try them at home.
For all I know, these dealers might be ok with me trying some speakers at home. I don’t know and am not yet ready to ask.
But I’m curious whether folks here have any stories to tell about the reactions they’ve gotten when they’ve asked to try speakers at their home. If you have a story, especially if it’s a more expensive speaker, I’d love to hear your story. How did you convince them? If they turned you down, what was the reason? Did you agree?
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Trying to make a decision about purchasing a component by listening to it in a dealers showroom is challenging to say the least. In home auditions where equipment can be mated to your partnering gear and listening environment are an essential part of making good decisions. This is fairly easy with most electronics and dealers are often more flexible with short-term loans for these as opposed to speakers (unless they are small bookshelf models). The best dealers working with an established client will take the time and effort to bring speakers to your home, set them up for audition, and leave them with you for an agreed period of time. However IME this is understandably rare. For these reasons the approach that many take is to buy used. Here you can try components out at your leisure and resell what doesn't work out--usually without much of a loss. This was my approach for the first 20 years in the hobby and until I really figured out what I liked sonically and had strong relationships with manufacturers whose products fit my needs and who helped me to upgrade as they made improvements along the way. |
+1 @bill_k and that’s what I did. The dealer lent me speakers on Saturday evening and I dutifully brought them back Monday and actually ended up buying the next model up. To me, a brick n mortar dealer’s core strength is giving the ability for listening auditions both in store and at home unless we’re talking about bohemeth speakers where it just might not be logistically feasible, but the 0/96 is definitely not that. If you’ve got two dealers and one has a very subpar listening room I agree with @stereo5 and get on the phone with DeVore and he might have something to say to these dealers. I certainly would if I was him. BTW, if you have a Joseph Audio dealer within driving distance I’d highly suggest giving their Perspective 2 a listen as they’re in the same price range. And if you end up buying them go back to both DeVore dealers and let them (and DeVore) know they lost a potential sale because they’re not customer centric and/or weren’t willing to make the effort. I’d think losing a $13k sale would get their attention because they don’t seem to value the customer and maybe they’ll rethink the next time a guy like you comes through the door. Best of luck. |
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