Doesn't seem like there are a lot of brick and mortar stores out there with large speaker setups so you can go in and listen to them before making a decision and buying. What are all you doing before spending your money? Do you just rely on online reviews? Go with suggestions from friends?
I still consider online reviews, but lately it seems like Amazon and other sites are flooded with both good and bad fake reviews. It's also a problem when sellers lump different versions of the same product under one listing. So, I try to get suggestions from friends and family first, then I look for a product with a good warranty that I can buy from a store with a decent return policy.
johnnycamp5 Messages: 354 Registered: June 2015 Location: NJ
Grand Master
The problem with auditioning speakers in a store is that your usually auditioning (listening to) the room, just as much as the loudspeakers.
The store room is likely completely different than yours (usually much larger with better acoustics).
I think he only best way to audition speakers, is to bring them home and listen in the room you want them in, experimenting with placement of course.
Johnny is right. I think the only way to really try them out is in your own home. For that, I usually turn to Amazon because I have Amazon Prime, which means I have free shipping and sometimes free returns (it's always important to check that first).
I will go with a 15 to 30 day trial period. I'm not returning the speaker and get a refund if I was not satisfied with the quality I bought. I will just replace the speaker with a better one.
TechFreakofNature Messages: 17 Registered: July 2018 Location: Birmingham AL
Chancellor
I watch a lot of reviews online, YouTube and stuff to get opinions from people, but I watch at least a hundred if it concerns a big purchase because I want to watch a ton of different opinions. But with speakers specifically I go to Best Buy because the sound is important and often a personal choice.