Auditioning/Purchasing speakers
jmierzur
Posts: 489
I am in the process of upgrading my audio speakers. I have short-listed several models that I consider being excellent choices. One model is a wild card as the demonstration room was possibly the worst environment for any audio application.
Would anyone spend $1700 on speakers without auditioning in your own audio environment with your equipment? Am I being unreasonable with my request?
All but one audio store encourage I take home the demonstration model for testing in my 'natural' habitat. They will even let me keep the demo model until new stock arrives!
The wild card retailer will only let me purchase the product (LSi series) and allow an exchange for any other product they retail (junk) if I am not satisfied. I feel this would be a great leap of faith (even though I am a die hard Polk fan) as I have heard very expensive speakers that I would not purchase.
Update as requested:
B&W - DM 602
Dynaudio - Audience 42 or 52
??Polk Audio - LSi9??
Totem Acoustic - Rokk or Model 1
Joseph Audio - out of budget!
A matching center channel speaker would be included at purchase. Have purchased two Definitive Tech ProSub 80 units for new speakers.
Current favorite is Totem Acoustic Model 1 (as I can not determine if LSi9 is comparable in sonic characteristics). This list represents the speakers available locally by established retailers. Other models are available, but future local representation is questionable.
Would anyone spend $1700 on speakers without auditioning in your own audio environment with your equipment? Am I being unreasonable with my request?
All but one audio store encourage I take home the demonstration model for testing in my 'natural' habitat. They will even let me keep the demo model until new stock arrives!
The wild card retailer will only let me purchase the product (LSi series) and allow an exchange for any other product they retail (junk) if I am not satisfied. I feel this would be a great leap of faith (even though I am a die hard Polk fan) as I have heard very expensive speakers that I would not purchase.
Update as requested:
B&W - DM 602
Dynaudio - Audience 42 or 52
??Polk Audio - LSi9??
Totem Acoustic - Rokk or Model 1
Joseph Audio - out of budget!
A matching center channel speaker would be included at purchase. Have purchased two Definitive Tech ProSub 80 units for new speakers.
Current favorite is Totem Acoustic Model 1 (as I can not determine if LSi9 is comparable in sonic characteristics). This list represents the speakers available locally by established retailers. Other models are available, but future local representation is questionable.
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
Comments
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What other speakers have you auditioned that you like? I guess if the store won't let you take the LSi's home you could always tell them that you're going to buy your speakers elsewhere, because they allow in-home demos. It's definitely worth a shot.
Aaron -
IMO i wouldn't buy from any dealer that didn't let you bring them back in 30 days no questions asked for a full refund....
when your dropping thatkinda cash it shouldn't even be a haggling point ... -
Any more thoughts??
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i second the other's thoughts on this. most reputable HT dealers will allow you to 'home-demo' any of theirs products. if you tell the LSi dealer flat out he's gonna lose the sale he won't let you 'home-demo', i would think he would change his mind, especially if losing business to a rival store in the same town...
like aaron said, give it a shot...
good luck... -
If I can not get a home demo (I have done exactly as suggested before creating this thread), what is the forums opinion on conducting an in-store A-B comparison against my current choice? I know what the Totem speaker sounds like in a quality sound room.
All dealers within an eight-hour drive allow for in-store credit. The only dealer having LSi products on display is a local mass-market chain. Others require you to order the product without listening??
Having started a Polk Audio relationship since purchasing my Monitor 10s, I would like to give Polk Audio all opportunities for my next upgrade. I did not realize that this would be like hitting a brick wall.
If Polk wishes to produce a high end product, they should insist on review of these products in the appropriate manor. I do not think there will be much penetration of the LSi line locally as the intended market does not frequent this chain for purchases. In-store auditions reveal few characteristics worthy of further investigation (95% sure the problem is the interaction with the demonstration room, but not $1700 sure). -
I agree with the others also, to a point. If you like the Totems and have tried them at home. Can you take them to compare to the Polks instore, this is the impression I got from what you wrote. You should be able to judge the Polks buy comparison even if it is a less then suitable listening room. The store down here will even let you take or they will bring and set up cables, including speaker, interlinks, etc. basicly everything. Is the store this way with not letting you take ANY of their speakers home for a test or just the Polks? How do the Polks sound in the unfavorable inviroment? I have only heard good things about the LSi line but it has been very little. You might want to put a call into Polk, Monday maybe they can have some influance on the store. Since they are appearing to be haveing problems getting this line off the ground. Sorry for the length but thats my 2 cents.Chris
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Thanks for the feedback Chris.
The store will not let you test any products @home. The LSi line does not sound good in their environment. I keep hearing great things regarding these speakers and this is why I have not thrown in the towel on this line, yet (very soon).
Polk Audio does not dictate how their products are retailed (mistake?). Maybe they could provide units for in home testing if the store does not allow the practice. Maybe they could have an on-line retailer list their product.
Calling Polk was the only method for getting the specific model I am interested in at the store. Yes, I agree, Polk is having many problems getting their new line started. I hope they do not lose too many customers in the process.
