When that much absolutely. You can't audition these brands, other's opinions are just that opinions, so its absurd and discouraging. 99% of the time thread answers are "your ears are the only ones that count" when choosing a product you haven't heard. Reviews mean little if it doesn't suit your taste.
restocking fees
More high end manufacturers are selling direct and offering home auditions, and many are charging restocking fees of up to 20%. I absolutely respect the right of any manufacturer to charge whatever he sees fit. It's expensive to have product in the field, and companies want to discourage tire kickers, but I see no reason to risk paying a restocking fee when the market offers me so many other choices. Do restocking fees discourage you from trying a product, or is the risk worth taking.