Here in the UK I would never purchase standmount or floorstanding speakers without the benefit of a home audition. Also I would if possible get the assistance of the dealer to set the speakers up in my own room for the audition. To buy a speaker without home audition for me is like buying clothes for myself blind without knowing my measurements or not trying them on in the shop and hoping to luck that the clothes will fit me at home.
We are buying and reviewing gear all wrong
So let's assume that cables, power conditioners and electronics all contribute noticeably to the sounds we hear.
In that case, maybe the idea of buying individual gear, reviewing individual gear, etc. is all messed up.
We should review entire systems, and buy entire systems.
This idea that we constantly shuffle interconnects, speaker and power cords for all our lives is messed up.
We shouldn't be looking at audio stores or reviewers as recommending gear, but themes. Styles. Entire collections all at once.
In that case, maybe the idea of buying individual gear, reviewing individual gear, etc. is all messed up.
We should review entire systems, and buy entire systems.
This idea that we constantly shuffle interconnects, speaker and power cords for all our lives is messed up.
We shouldn't be looking at audio stores or reviewers as recommending gear, but themes. Styles. Entire collections all at once.