Deciding on the right huge speaker

I really appreciate everybody's advice. I have to clarify that I'm not currently looking to buy a pair of huge speakers - my room wouldn't allow for it, my finances wouldn't appreciate it. I read a lot of reviews of speakers, and comments on forums such as this, about speakers in the mega-cost / mega-size range and, recently when I was reading one, I got to wondering how somebody goes about evaluating them. They're tough to find at a dealer unless you live in a big city, and they're tough to move around. You can't really buy a pair and just hope they work out, the way you might with monitors. And, given their expense, you want to do your homework and find the right answer.

Audiokinesis - I really appreciate all your feedback. You and the others who suggest both the shows as well as plane tickets to go to the speakers seem to be right on - I really hadn't thought about the fact that some cheap airfares are small in comparison to the purchase price. Going to the shows probably gives you a good overview and helps you narrow your possibles down, and going to dealers (even in another state if need be) allows for auditioning.

Also, Audiokinesis, even though you've probably lost Natalie as customer, I'd work with you on a purchase in a heartbeat - some of the best, most practical advice I've ever gotten from a dealer. Thanks. -Kirk

My room is 14x18x7.5 and would clearly not be appropriate for any of the speakers I (or anyone else) has mentioned. Again, I'm asking out of curiousity for the process, not because I'm going to go do this right now.

Phantom1 - you're absolutely right that you should start with looking for what you like, not by deciding how much to spend. You raise an interesting variable which is how would you evaluate a really big, vintage speaker. All of the excellent advice about visiting shows and travelling (even by plane) to dealers wouldn't work if you were trying to buy a 300lb. vintage speaker (obviously) used. -Kirk

I'm a Dynaudio fan through and through - if I were truly going to purchase speakers in this caliber, I'd have to be convinced to buy something other than the Temptations.

I recently heard the LAT2's ($10K monitors) - they weren't very impressive sounding. I also don't much care for that look, though I can see why some may like it a lot. Again, I'm a Dynaudio fan, but I thought the Contour 1.3SE's that I listened to directly after the LAT2's were much more enjoyable for 1/3 of the price. -Kirk