Auditioning new speakers

[madmax]

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

[steveinaz]

Since speakers typically have far more impact on sound than do source components, I'd go option #2.

[venomclan]

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

[markmarc]

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.

[hearingimpared]

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.

[organ]

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.

[treitz3]

#2, then listen to what he has to offer.

[daboyz]

#2, then listen to what he has to offer.

+1 treitz just beat me to it.

[wingnut4772]

+1 treitz just beat me to it.

+3. Everyone beat me to it.

[wizzy]

+4 go #2

[wallstreet]

#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.

[organ]

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!

[zingo]

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.

[organ]

Agree. You might end up discovering some new music:)

[pearsall001]

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.

[BlueMDPicker]

#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?

[tonyb]

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?

[pearsall001]

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

[hearingimpared]

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.

[mantis]

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?

[mantis]

Are you coming up this way to look 2? I know a few good Pizza joints man...LOL

Dan

[madmax]

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

[reeltrouble1]

Avantgarde.

yea, baby.

RT1

[tonyb]

Yeah right Ted,he scores some of those Horns,I'll have to do a midnight raid on his place.

[reeltrouble1]

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

[madmax]

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

[treitz3]

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

[madmax]

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

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

[reeltrouble1]

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