Dedication is all it takes in a dealer and I have been astounded in what I have found , or ...havent found .. Dedication in listening to a clients needs and dedication in making sure systems are properly mated and set up is very important indeed . Example. I wanted the new Aerial 20 ts. I have owned Aerial for a long time now. Mike Kelly is a passionate craftsman and is in command of his vision. When the long awaited 20 s hit the market I went to a nationally recognized dealer in Raleigh NC to make my decision. Good salespeople in general and a very nice store but set-up was terrible. Cramped in a room that had a obvious bass suck out issue that rendered the 20 s lacking in punch . Air and transparency as well as imaging and soundstage was outrageous however. I had 2 sw=12 subs so I thought I would be fine. I heard a company called A_V in Columbia SC had a pair and went there for an audition and nearly fell out! Everything the Raleigh store had , they had in spades along with an incredible depth that was completely missing before. I mean completely. I was stunned. The guys at A_V were incredible in their appreciation of my enthusiasm and spent tons of time working with me. Its dealers with dedicated employees that make the difference. Speakers like the 20 s just cant be thrown into a room and cranked up. Knowledge of room acoustics and their interaction with the equiptment is a big part of the equation. The lesson is simple. Find an intelligent , caring independent audio dealer and stick by them. I did.
Speaker placement at dealers
Is it just me...or are dealers...even hi-end shops...less than ideal when auditioning speakers?...they often appear baffled when I move speakers out into the room...and closer together...how do they expect a proper assessment...when speakers are flush against a wall...with ten other models between them?