A really good reason to pay would be to audition equipment you're interested in, but don't necessarily want to buy from that dealer. I got so sick of being ripped off by buying new equipment at retail, then having to sell it at wholesale when I wanted to upgrade, that I have stopped going to regular audio dealers and buy almost everything here on the used market. But, that means I don't get to hear new equipment as much. To avoid the bad karma of listening to a dealer's equipment without intending to buy, I would be willing to pay something.
Would You Pay to Listen?
Imaging the best sounding system you've ever heard. My question is, would you pay (say on an hourly basis) to listen to that system. You bring the music, friends, refreshments, etc. and you have the use of a state-of-the-art system in a professionally designed acoustic space.
Possible reasons to pay to hear such a system:
- unlike the local audio salon, you could listen without the pressure of a salesman trying to sell you equipment
- you could use it as a reference to your home system
- you could use it as a refuge, a place away from the spouse and kids where you could truly experience dedicated listening
To be honest, I'm not sure I would pay for such a service, but then again if it were cheap enough, occasionally, maybe I would. What's your thoughts?
Possible reasons to pay to hear such a system:
- unlike the local audio salon, you could listen without the pressure of a salesman trying to sell you equipment
- you could use it as a reference to your home system
- you could use it as a refuge, a place away from the spouse and kids where you could truly experience dedicated listening
To be honest, I'm not sure I would pay for such a service, but then again if it were cheap enough, occasionally, maybe I would. What's your thoughts?