Audio Advice and Crutchfield have great return policies if you're looking to try out what brands they rep. and return in the window of their respective return policies. A local shop may have extra demo models to loan but you'll be limited to what they have and not necessarily what you want to borrow. Never hurts to ask.
Convincing your local dealer to let you try speakers at home
So, I had a great experience listening to some Devore 0/96 speakers yesterday. The challenge for me is that the room I heard them in is wildly different than any other room I’d ever listen in. (I’ll share a photo, below.) I really have no idea if spending $13k plus on these speakers would work out. I’d need to try them at home.
For all I know, these dealers might be ok with me trying some speakers at home. I don’t know and am not yet ready to ask.
But I’m curious whether folks here have any stories to tell about the reactions they’ve gotten when they’ve asked to try speakers at their home. If you have a story, especially if it’s a more expensive speaker, I’d love to hear your story. How did you convince them? If they turned you down, what was the reason? Did you agree?