Places to audition speakers and receivers???

Pycroft
Pycroft Posts: 1,960
edited October 2009 in Electronics
I'd love to hear suggested stores that are good for auditioning speakers and receivers. I had a Tweeter about 15 minutes away, but it closed down. I went to Best Buy, but selection was limited. When searching the web, I typed in electronics stores and a million came up. What are some top notch hi-fi stores that I can search for to see if they are near me? If it matters, I'm located in South NJ, 08043. Thanks bunches all. Also, if it matters, I'd love to find one that carries Harmon Kardan, Pioneer, and Denon. Others wouldn't hurt too :)

James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited October 2009
    Another question while I'm at it....What speakers are close to my RTA 11TL's for auditioning them with? I was at Bestbuy, and it was between Def. Tech, Klipsch, and Vienna Acoustics. The guy said the Vienna was closest because of the frame, but none shared the same tweeter, and the Vienna seemed like FINE speakers, but they seemed thin and small compared to the RTA's. When auditioning receivers, what comparison can I make if i can't actually have the correct speaker?

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited October 2009
    Well, mantis works at a place called 'audiolabs' over in Philly, might consider shooting him a pm, try and get something set up. He can tell you what brands they carry.
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,233
    edited October 2009
    Pycroft wrote: »
    I'd love to hear suggested stores that are good for auditioning speakers and receivers. I had a Tweeter about 15 minutes away, but it closed down. I went to Best Buy, but selection was limited. When searching the web, I typed in electronics stores and a million came up. What are some top notch hi-fi stores that I can search for to see if they are near me? If it matters, I'm located in South NJ, 08043. Thanks bunches all. Also, if it matters, I'd love to find one that carries Harmon Kardan, Pioneer, and Denon. Others wouldn't hurt too :)

    James

    There are many good places to get a demo around here. From where you are I suggest checking out "Hi Fi Sales". They are in Cherry Hill Nj. From there you can jump down to "Overture" Which is a very good high end store in Delaware right off 202 north. King of Prussia Pa Bryn Mawr area you have World Wide Stereo. Willow Groove PA is"Hi FI House". If you head to Montgomery Mall Rt 309 area you have "World Wide Stereo" and right across the street is "6th ave".
    Heading north towards Trenton in the Pa side , we are in Fairless Hills Pa less then 5 minutes from Trenton Nj we are on Business Rt1. We are "Audiolab. Check out our website www.audiolab.com. You can see all we carry there. We carry a lot.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2009
    Gosh Dan, I was just about to mention Overture!

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited October 2009
    This is PERFECT...thanks guys! I live like 5 minutes from Cherry Hill, so I guess I will start there, and spread out! Thanks for the help!

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited October 2009
    Mantis, an FYI, I'm getting an AVG 'threat alert' when I click on your link?
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,467
    edited October 2009
    Obieone, the link is fine here. Pycroft, another option would be to hook up with local Polkies and other audio enthusiasts in your area. Bring some of your favorite reference CD's and get your listen on. Opinions seem to get "swayed" by sales people when there is commission involved.
    ~ 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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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited October 2009
    Treitz...

    Found that out at Best Buy...a bit pushy I thought...

    I do think it's tough when you have some vintage speakers and want to hear how they sound with a specific receiver. I was looking at HK354 - want a musical AVR that can handle decent 2 channel, and has preouts so I can add an amp to power for HT. It seems not many places deal in Harmon Kardan now a days. Oh well...

    Thanks again for the info and tips!

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,233
    edited October 2009
    obieone wrote: »
    Mantis, an FYI, I'm getting an AVG 'threat alert' when I click on your link?

    Strange I do not. I click on the link and it goes to our site.

    Try again

    www.audiolab.com
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited October 2009
    I don't know what the deal is?:

    AVG alert, threat detected, www.audiolab.com/, Exploit Script injection-367

    details: Process name: F:/Program Files/internet explore.exe
    process ID: 4084

    I ran updates on avg, windows,?
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • sophie
    sophie Posts: 511
    edited October 2009
    obieone wrote: »
    I don't know what the deal is?:

    AVG alert, threat detected, www.audiolab.com/, Exploit Script injection-367

    details: Process name: F:/Program Files/internet explore.exe
    process ID: 4084

    I ran updates on avg, windows,?

    i get this when i click on "for sale"

    Payton
    Polk monitor 10B's and 5 jr's
    Adcom gfa 5500 and HK/240
    Adcom gtp 400
    Adcom gcp 600
    MusicHall MMF 2.1 TT
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited October 2009
    James, something else when dealing with these "specialty" shops. Some will let you audition some items in your home, so you can truly know how it will sound in your home. Of course this varies sometimes you need to be a good repeat customer, sometimes it may depend on how much you may be spending. Talk to the reps if you really think you found something you are interested in, you never know. Also if you do take up an offer like this and it is what you want, don't return it then buy some place else just to save some bucks. Just my personal opinion but that just is not cool.
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited October 2009
    I'm actually having a VERY hard time finding a place that holds Harmon Kardan receivers...is that company now online only? I haven't checked all of them, but checked HiFi Sales, Audiolab, 6th Avenue...nothing. I wonder what the deal is.

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited October 2009
    Here is Harmon's dealer locator, I punched in your zip and got results for all over the country:confused: so good luck.

    http://dealerlocator.harman.com/harmankardon/
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited October 2009
    CLosest is 3 hours away...that's ridiculous :) Thanks for the help.

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited October 2009
    obieone wrote: »
    I don't know what the deal is?:

    AVG alert, threat detected, www.audiolab.com/, Exploit Script injection-367

    details: Process name: F:/Program Files/internet explore.exe
    process ID: 4084

    I ran updates on avg, windows,?

    Getting this same Alert as well when checking out the link. I had to close down the site, I'm getting all kinds of AVG Alerts.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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