Auditioning new speakers

madmax
madmax Posts: 12,434
edited January 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
I'm torn here. I'm going to listen to a pair of speakers and don't know how I want to go about this. The way I see it there are two choices, each have their benifits.

1. Listen mostly to somewhat unknown music presented by the guy who owns the system. He knows what shows off the attributes of the speakers.

2. Listen mostly to music I am familiar with. This will show me a comparison between what I have and what he has. Of course the down side is that different music sounds best on different systems.

madmax
Vinyl, the final frontier...

Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
Post edited by madmax on
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2008
    Since speakers typically have far more impact on sound than do source components, I'd go option #2.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited January 2008
    I would do both, but focus more on option 2. That is what I did when I bought my last pair. A speaker owner will usually play the type of music that will make the speakers shine, which is ok but can also hide weaknesses.

    Listen to what you know so you can discern what the new speakers are adding, subtracting or whatever.
    Venom
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited January 2008
    Definitely focus on #2. If you can take along an spl meter as well as a music cd as you compare speakers from different places. That way you can be a little more sure of what you are hearing.............But, if at all possible do in-home auditions, far and away the best way to judge what will work best in your rig.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited January 2008
    Chuck unless you are auditioning these new speakers in your rig, it won't make a difference so I would go with fully both to get the best idea how they are going to sound overall. Once you get them in your rig then you will be able to really see if you like them.

    I love my refreshed 1.2 TLs but I've been doin the brick and mortar store thing and I'm hearing these incredible speakes between $5 & $8 k. I've brought lots of my music with me and I can't really tell if it's the speakers or the associated electronics that's driving the speakers that is giving me the jaw dropping sound.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited January 2008
    Hey Madmax, what are you audiotioning man? I actually gave up on in-store auditions. I use my room now. There's just too much difference in sound between my room and the store. I listen at the store to hear the speakers "character". So I ignore soundstaging and a lot of other stuff. Did that with both my Klipsch Cornwall and La Scala. Sounds so much better at home.

    See if your dealer will let you borrow the speakers for an in home trial.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2008
    #2, then listen to what he has to offer.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited January 2008
    treitz3 wrote: »
    #2, then listen to what he has to offer.

    +1 treitz just beat me to it.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    daboyz wrote: »
    +1 treitz just beat me to it.

    +3. Everyone beat me to it.
    Sharp Elite 70
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    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
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    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • wizzy
    wizzy Posts: 867
    edited January 2008
    +4 go #2
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  • wallstreet
    wallstreet Posts: 1,405
    edited January 2008
    #2. I don't even bother with what the saleman has. Why would I care? I'm not shopping for music. I'm auditioning speakers. And I know how my music sounds on my speakers.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited January 2008
    oops, forgot to pick an option. I'd go with #2 Sounds like you're doing an audiotion in his home. Bring along your amp and pre if possible. If he's not willing to let you borrow them first, try to get as much out of them during the demo. Good luck!
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2008
    Go with one. (Everyone already picked two :() Try some of your music of course, but also let the guy show off his stuff as well. I'm sure he has songs in mind that he thinks sound good and that's worth a listen.
    Jake
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited January 2008
    Agree. You might end up discovering some new music:)
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2008
    Option #2...in fact when the salesperson sees that you brought your own music, he knows you mean business & that you know what the hell you're doing. At that point he won't even offer to play his "best" tunes for you.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited January 2008
    #1 - I doubt that the guy has a 78 rpm record player in the rig. ;)

    What speakers are you auditioning, if I may be so bold to ask?
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited January 2008
    Bring your own music,you allready know what it should sound like.What speaks are you looking at?

    Just for giggles Joe,what has dropped your jaw in the 5-8 grand arena?
    HT SYSTEM-
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    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2008
    tonyb wrote: »
    Bring your own music,you allready know what it should sound like.What speaks are you looking at?

    Just for giggles Joe,what has dropped your jaw in the 5-8 grand arena?

    That's an easy one. The JAS Audio Odin speakers. Every time Joe & I visit Stephen's place we both have to pick our jaws up off the floor!!! They are unbelievable to say the least. http://www.questforsound.com/speakers/spkrs_jas.htm
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited January 2008
    tonyb wrote: »
    Bring your own music,you allready know what it should sound like.What speaks are you looking at?

    Just for giggles Joe,what has dropped your jaw in the 5-8 grand arena?

    The first one that comes to mind is the Jas Odin; the second is, The Hyperion's HPS-938.

    The Jas is $8k the Hyperion is $5k. There are lot's more but these two stand out.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited January 2008
    I say do both. It's refreshing to hear something else, in the process you might hear something you like. You also have to use your own music. There really isn't a better way to judge a pair of speakers then with your own music.

    Why are you looking at new speakers??? What do you have your eye on?
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited January 2008
    Are you coming up this way to look 2? I know a few good Pizza joints man...LOL

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited January 2008
    Well, I was going to take a few discs with me but left them on my table. Oh well, he had most of what I was going to take with me. It turned out we have very similar tastes in music. I will write up something once I hear them on my system. After all, the electronics are a big part of what you hear. Thanks Dan but these are the other direction.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2008
    Avantgarde.

    yea, baby.

    RT1
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited January 2008
    Yeah right Ted,he scores some of those Horns,I'll have to do a midnight raid on his place.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2008
    word is Max has more security on the place than the SuperMax Fed joint, full of trip wires, rumor of a moat filled with nasty things.........so be careful Tony.

    RT1
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited January 2008
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    word is Max has more security on the place than the SuperMax Fed joint, full of trip wires, rumor of a moat filled with nasty things.........so be careful Tony.

    RT1

    Well yeah, if you only list the first line of defense... :D

    Hey RT1, good call. Truthfully I just went to listen but you know how it goes.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2008
    tonyb wrote: »
    Yeah right Ted,he scores some of those Horns,I'll have to do a midnight raid on his place.
    Careful, all indications lead to "this" being the reason Sal got the temporary boot. Apparently you can't even joke about stuff like this. Take it back or the PC police will be after ya'. :p :rolleyes: :eek:
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited January 2008
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Careful, all indications lead to "this" being the reason Sal got the temporary boot. Apparently you can't even joke about stuff like this. Take it back or the PC police will be after ya'. :p :rolleyes: :eek:


    Its ok, however if I see him lurking around at midnight I will strap him down and turn on my bose speakers for a few days straight. Is that too much torture or should I just water board him for awhile. :D
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2008
    There is a huge diffence between a club and an internet forum, its very tough to do both. Hang in there my Brothers in Arms.

    Go get them horns Max.

    RT1
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