Convincing your local dealer to let you try speakers at home

I can borrow anything because of long-standing relationships.  But, if I were a dealer I would not let anyone borrow gear for an audition.  These days, people audition stuff with no intention of buying--they try dealer gear and then go looking for better deals on the internet (used, grey market, whatever).  I know a dealer who lent two amps to a person and later found out that two other several other dealers did the same; the "customer" held an audio shootout with his friends just for fun and then returned the gear.  

Dealers basically lend their floor models out, which means they are out of a demonstration piece until it is returned.  They cannot lend out something "new" out of the box because it is then no longer "new."  One has to wonder about those on-line dealers that offer a limited trial period; do they sell a returned piece as new?  Would you like to buy a new speaker that may have been shipped around to various other people and having undergone such additional handling, potential abuse from someone cranking the volume way up, etc.?

If you are a customer that is fair to the dealer, dealers will do quite a bit to accommodate your plans.  I once asked a local dealer about the high end linestage models of two brands he carried.  He had neither models in his shop.  But, he was willing to buy both models as demonstration models (the lowest price from a distributor) if I promised to buy one of them (handshake deal).  He got in the Levinson No. 32 linestage first, I tried it at home, liked it, and bought it without requiring him to bring in the VTL model I was also interested in.  Another local dealer built a pair of customer speakers, each is more than 4.5 feet wide, almost 9 feet tall and about 4 feet deep.  It took a rental of a mini tractor to make the deliver/install at the customer's house.  The customer's wife hated it and the dealer took the speakers back.  I don't know what the financial arrangement was for the return, but, can you imagine how hard it is to find a space for two such giant speakers and how hard it must be to find a new buyer? Such service still exists, but it only exists if there are both good dealers and customers and not where both parties are trying to get the drop on the other.

Another thing, about the speakers themselves. A giant room like that without sidewall reflections may actually be the best room for the Devore O/96s -- of course it's a type of room that few have. The reviewer Mike Lavorgna uses O/96s in his giant barn, which measures great, in part because it's a big room. Big room, little problems...you're hearing more of the speakers, less of the room.

The other thing to keep in mind is, it's fairly easy to sell Devores. I know of no other speaker that keeps such a high resale value. So you can do as I did...buy it, try it for 4-5 months, and if it doesn't work out in your room -- sell it. 

+1 laryi

If it’s getting up there in price, I would think there would need to be an understanding that you would be purchasing something from the brick and mortar at the end of your trial. I mean, a pair of used bookshelf speakers? No problem. I’ve had a decent pair from our local place (really nice guy with a full retail and repair shop etc.) to try out, liked them and bought them. Then he let me try a used subwoofer for several weeks, but instead I wanted something different - he helped find me a nice used Rel even when I was willing to pay new). Saved me SO much money and I love this sub). But this is a major investment. Both sides of this transaction is kinda crucial.

If you’ve built a relationship, shouldn’t be an issue. But if you’ve never purchased from them - and/or a MAJOR purchase - there’s a bit of honor and due diligence to consider. I bet if you have a good in person sit down talk (rare these days) he’d be willing to set something up for you. But maybe go in expecting a down payment or good faith deposit toward something that will work for your space. Chances are, he’d let you try more than the DeVore’s? Although, you’ll probably love them from what I’ve heard about them.

Also, bring some pics of your room/listening area/equipment/setup. Maybe they’ll have some great suggestions on pairing if you’re open to options.

Best wishes, hope you end up with some holiday time DeVores!

@hilde45 as a midway option to explore before taking next steps, would the dealer permit you to listen to their O/96 speakers at their location with your source, your preamp, your cables?