How to meaningfully audition speakers??


I think this topic has appeared elsewhere, even if worded differently. But I thought I'd ask anyway.

Just upgraded my amp and was thinking about auditioning different speakers. Problem is that there are only a handful of high-end B&M stores nearby. Another complication is that no one store has the 2 or 3 speaker brands that I want to check out.

Further, I am dubious that one can meaningfully audition gear by running from store to store because the test conditions are not identical. In addition, unless a piece is really terrible or incredibly terrific, I don't trust my aural memory. Perhaps other have a different view.

Seems to me that the best way to accomplish what I want is to have the speakers of interest brought to my house and hooked up to my rig. But -- I am NOT aware of any dealer willing to part with expensive gear like that, especially if it has to be specially ordered from a distributor because the model is not on display.

So the Q is what do most folks do? Just buy speakers on hope and a prayer?? Rely on reviews or Forum comments??
bifwynne
I am not God in audio, I have said that many times. It is not about me, it is about the openness in audio. I prefer a more open way in information to all the people who are interested in audio. I do this bases on all the visits I did at people at home. How easy it is to spend lot's of money on audio and still have a poor level. People buy many stuff based on reviews or what is advised to them. I would like to see less different brands. More quality and less shit. I never say you have to buy this, I only say; you should listen to this. There is a lot of wrong information in audio. When you do this for a living you get aware of it all the time. And yess I am a lot different in this than many other. But I am not them, I am just me. Nothing more, nothing less.
Every person can say what he wants, I do the same. We live in a "free" world. The focus should be on the threads and not on persons.
See? I mean really...there is too much here to not have fun with it. He competes and is supposedly a perfectionist in a subjective arena utterly lacking any motivation from selling anything, although he sells things for a living. The Dutch Mountains Messiah making the world a better place...*sniff*...
You missed the point Bo, re-read. I KNOW you're passonite about audio but the focus will become more on you if you continue the way you have, count the number of "I's" in your posts. Think it doesn't matter? think again. You're right the focus should be on the content and that IS the point, just trying to help you from the disappointment and frustration you will eventually encounter here. We were blessed with two ears and one mouth for a reason, think about it.
"The Dutch Mountains Messiah" Bo Versus "Lone" Wolf_garcia.

Wrestlemania XXX!
"No Sounds Barred" match!
Special quest referee: Nipper, the RCA "Wonder Dog".

Vince Mcmahan...make this happen! We will all be listening....

:^)