Convincing your local dealer to let you try speakers at home

@rsf507

 curious if companies did home demos then why need a dealer network? Are you suggesting a company that is located in CA ship a speaker to someone in FL then fly out to do the setup? I would imagine this type of scenario would raise the price of the component by hundreds if not thousands of dollars

No of course I’m not suggesting such an extreme example. I’m only stating the fact that if you want to do a demo well, you have to be there. Room and placement are a huge part of the sound. Without that, people often end up buying a speaker that is the opposite of a room (room is bass light, so "demo winning" speaker is bass heavy; room is highly reflective with a lot of glass, the best demo speaker is dark with less top end ). This is the value of a local dealer, they can come to you. Or you can experiment with their facility and determine how the speakers you currently own sound in their demo spaces, then compare to other speakers.

@hilde45

Yes many companies do send loaners, including several of the dealers that sell ATC for us. All the folks you mention have significant sales and are later businesses. If you are smaller, independent, or your main focus is more expensive high end speakers (over 5K), it could be quite different. Typically these sellers do a home demo locally by doing it themselves.

How about this: Would a customer fly out to a demo room that is set up properly? This is not as difficult, RT airfare could be reasonable and controlled by the customer. If the customer buys the speaker you refund his airfare.

Brad

@hilde45

To my ear, was a requirement. The number of times I have been in audio sessions with other folks… let’s say, midrange Magico (so what is that… $70K), driven by $50K amp… and I wanted run out of the room screaming with my hands clasped over my ears. They are lapping it up like it is the best thing since great cognac. The number of audiophiles that are dedicated to scraping the last layer of detail off of the media… without concern for natural sound and musicality is quite surprising to me. Some folks continually chase a sound that seems cleaner with more slam without concern that it sounds real… some folks just like switching equipment. Then there are the Mac folks that want the midrange and bass to push them back in their seats, details and balance not that important. None of this is wrong… it’s a passionate pursuit.

Few people have heard my system, and those that have (5?) all love it. My dealer is actually at the top of the list. He occasionally brings over high end equipment to hear on my system since he and I appreciate the same aesthetic. Just for fun, we brought over one of his employee, to get his take. He turned it up twice as loud as I had ever had it… sounded great… but too loud. Anyway, he thought it sounded OK. Exactly, what I thought he would say… a young’ in. Still into detail and slam. He hasn’t yet realized that rhythm and pace… and musicality is the core essence of a great system.

@ghdprentice Thank you for elaborating. It does seem, from your second paragraph, that what you hear as good is also enjoyed by those who hear your system. You have taste, and others can appreciate your version of taste. Be well.

@ghdprentice, knowing the speakers and the ARC upstream I have no doubt it sounds fabulous, and most importantly, musical.

In the early 90s a few dealers came to my home even. I borrowed equipment (with security) to audition for ten years and slowly settled down. Now a dealer I've known 30 years can't let me hear a used Jeff Rowland amp without buying it with no chance to return it if not a match. For me, it's hopeless now to upgrade. I'm happy enough now to not gamble on unheard gear.

As for speakers I have 'known' my listening rooms well enough to not make a mistake with something that would not work. Correct speaker-to-room sizing and a good strong knowledge (and enjoyment) of the sound of the speaker brand in advance help. After that, it's positioning, treatments, DSP, etc. when applicable.

i have a couple local dealers near me that only require a look at my id and writing down my cc# without running it. it's always open box and i'm allowed the speakers/component around a week, but now that I've done a bit of shopping here and usam I pre negotiate the price, often for a floor demo b4 demoing. Components aren't too hard for me to tell apart(or not) , but speakers can take me several months for me to hear their tell and once hears can never be unheard. So, I buy used speakers I think I'm interested in and demo them as long as I need at home. Current residents Kef Blade, some headliners preceded  them tho'. 

I find the current hifi shops, at least around Chicago are mature and when I describe what I have and where I'm trying to get they are upfront with me by either showing me what they recommend or flat out, but gently suggesting I get out of my own head and start listening to some new music.