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What is the process to demo speakers?

I’m dealing with an acoustically challenged room in my new house and am considering Wilson Audio Duettes. The room requires speakers be up against a wall or inside a bookshelf. I went to Overture in Delaware this weekend and listed to the Duettes, I thought they were amazing. However, I was in a listening room designed to sound good, much different than my home.

I’d like to be able to try these speakers in my house before I commit to purchasing them. Is this a reasonable request to make of Overture and does anyone know if they offer this kind of service? Also, if this is common practice for good audio stores do they charge anything for the service of letting their customer try equipment before they purchase?

I’m fairly new to upper end equipment so I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Ken.
kwilkins
herman
2,255 posts
 
In the internet age I don't see how a bricks and mortar high end store can hope to survive without offering in-home auditions. They will probably request a deposit or CC number in case you damage them or don't return.

Explain your concerns and ask them.
uraniumcommittee
60 posts
 
Good hi-fi retailers will allow you to demo equipment at home, usually just on a handshake.
kwilkins OP
1 posts
 
Thanks for the response. I spoke with them and there is no problem with an in-home evaluation. They do charge $170 an hour for 2 men to do the install. I suppose this is reasonable.

Ken
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Those Wilson speakers are designed to work against the wall and on bookshelves.. The only reason the dealers have stands is to demo them.
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
Not true, they are also designed to work as a standard monitor. That's the reason for the stand. You can do a crossover mod if you are going to use them in a normal audiophile setup.

One of my friends had the wilson dealer setup his watt puppy 7's. In my opinion it is worth what the dealer charges to get it right.
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