Every listening environment is different. Especially size and shape and places where the speakers can be positioned. My room is very large, for example - much larger than anything that I have seen in any dealer's showroom. Therefore, I always try to audition speakers at home before purchasing. It is not always easy, but I have shied away from dealers who do not offer some sort of in-home audition - even if only for a few hours. Some dealers will personally bring the equipment (sometimes even a few different pairs of speakers); and others will have a short-term lending program (ie., over a weekend). I have had experiences in which speakers sounds better at home than in the store, but mostly vice versa. Another option is to buy speakers directly from a manufacturer that offers a trial period - sometimes for as long as 60 days.
Store sound v/s Home sound
I have purchased a number of speakers over the years. One of the constant problems is when the speaker were brought home they didn't sound the same. I know stores usually have some type of acoustic work done in their demonstration rooms. I have purchased speakers from stores with acoustic work and without. The one difference in all cases, my ceiling is 8 feet high, their ceilings are 9 ft. or more. Does or should this hight make that much difference. Most of the speakers purchased sound good once home, but never as good as at the store. I made a purchase with the amplifier, processor and speakers demonstrated together, once home the system didn't sound the same. The store was always better.