Trying to make a decision about purchasing a component by listening to it in a dealers showroom is challenging to say the least. In home auditions where equipment can be mated to your partnering gear and listening environment are an essential part of making good decisions. This is fairly easy with most electronics and dealers are often more flexible with short-term loans for these as opposed to speakers (unless they are small bookshelf models). The best dealers working with an established client will take the time and effort to bring speakers to your home, set them up for audition, and leave them with you for an agreed period of time. However IME this is understandably rare. For these reasons the approach that many take is to buy used. Here you can try components out at your leisure and resell what doesn't work out--usually without much of a loss. This was my approach for the first 20 years in the hobby and until I really figured out what I liked sonically and had strong relationships with manufacturers whose products fit my needs and who helped me to upgrade as they made improvements along the way.
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?