Test CD

Zd542. It makes far more sense to buy or use a pair of speakers that has most of the audio traits that I want and then try to shore up the shortcomings with a superior IC and power cables vs. buying and trying lots of speakers with the hope that one pair may have everything that I need. Not gonna happen. Not only because of the cost involved by also the time issue. Buying and returning speakers over and over again is a great way to piss off a retailer.

One thing I've learned over the years, no matter how much you spend, you will find every speaker regardless of the price point at least in the lower end of the high end will have at least one or more deficiency. DALI Zensor 1's for example have apparently a bit of a bright high end which otherwise would mar what I would consider a great speaker for the price. Others may be too forward sounding and bright such as Klipsch and some other brands that I've listened to.

When I purchased my Mirage OM 10's I had to decide between having more detail in my music or a more spacious soundstage. Decided on the soundstage. Then I purchased the Conway 3's which sound quite different and provided more detail. But at the expense of the soundstage.

I can't afford to spend a grand or two grand on speakers this time around. Have to live within my means. Therefore, if I have to spend a couple hundred on cables to help improve the shortcomings in my current pair of speakers or potentially a new pair, then I will have to do that. Far less money will be spent by doing this than having to shell out a lot of money on something I can't afford right now.

I was just suggesting that you listen to speakers before you buy them. I never said that you should go out and buy and return a bunch of speakers. As far as using cables to fix the speakers you buy, all I can say to that one is, you'll see. Its like your stock broker tells you. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

"12-21-14: Will62
How they sound in a showroom will not be representative of how they sound at home. I bought the Klipsch Heresey's back in the 1980' after listening to them in the store. Got them home and they definitely didn't sound right at all. Too bright and lacking bass and I don't even desire a lot of bass. Messed around with placement but to no avail."

No question that's a valid point, but I still think you can benefit from doing store demo's. As an example, I'm very sensitive to high frequencies. I can easily weed out speakers that have HF issues that I don't like, right there in a store. Granted, its not a perfect way to judge SQ, but you can rule out speakers that you know you won't like. Also, the Klipsch speakers you mention are very odd. Your description of them is pretty much the same as mine. I wouldn't use them as a reference to compare other speakers to.

I should have mentioned this earlier, but I forgot. You may want to give The Cable Company a call. They have a program where they send you demo units of anything you want to try. I'm not sure if they'll send you speakers, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. They may do it. Also, Cable Co is the largest cable and accessory store there is. If you're still interested in a test CD, they probably carry every one on the market. If you don't live near any B&M stores, they can be a very valuable resource.

Hello,
I prefer to use music to break speakers in.
Pink noise is great for analyzing but can be hard on the mechanics of the driver if they are too still out of the box and you push the noise a bit too hard.
Also, music breaks in the speakers to match your musical preferences.