One issue in doing a store demo, is you should make an appointment. To listen to some speakers you need TIME. At least a half hour for each pair at that store. do NOT let the saleman jabber. He WILL not stop talking unless you ask him to stop fiddling with the stuff, while he is telling you everything you never wanted to hear bout whatever.
Ask them to turn on and have the system playing for a half hour before you get there if possible. (or, remember it may take awhile for it to settle) Also, some places use a switchboard to swap equipment, if it is an electronic switcher, not so good. better all switching stuff with manual means. Also, they may not have the speakers you want to listen to with each other. that can be a problem if they also have different electronics, and are in a different room... but do what you can do.
BRING YOUR OWN MUSIC!! CD or LP, best usually CD. several CDs you know well, some for female vocal, some strings, (Jazz or classical) some bass, some big hard rocking slamming CD, a quiet then loud piano, and whatever your fav insturment is. You want recordings you KNOW inside and out.
(MAKE CERTAIN YOU TAKE YOUR CDs HOME WITH YOU!) i always lose some!
Just relax and listen to the full favorite cuts from the CDs. make certain the vol remote is in YOUR hand, not the salemans!!!
Set the vol to YOUR comfort level. Nearly ALL salesmen turn it up too loud.
ANd again, tell him to be quiet, go help someone else etc. Just get him to leave you alone so you can listen.
(this is usually the hardest thing to accomplish!!!)
Good luck.
Some places can understand your needs, other places (or just salesmen) act like they are doing you a big favor. Some cannot go away, or shut up. sad.
I auditioned my stuff last time at a place I've known the guy for 25 years.. I still had to turn it down, but he knew to leave me alone for three hours. And I went to audition twice for the same pair of Magnepan 3.6s, with Bryston gear.
He got my 20 large.
Ask them to turn on and have the system playing for a half hour before you get there if possible. (or, remember it may take awhile for it to settle) Also, some places use a switchboard to swap equipment, if it is an electronic switcher, not so good. better all switching stuff with manual means. Also, they may not have the speakers you want to listen to with each other. that can be a problem if they also have different electronics, and are in a different room... but do what you can do.
BRING YOUR OWN MUSIC!! CD or LP, best usually CD. several CDs you know well, some for female vocal, some strings, (Jazz or classical) some bass, some big hard rocking slamming CD, a quiet then loud piano, and whatever your fav insturment is. You want recordings you KNOW inside and out.
(MAKE CERTAIN YOU TAKE YOUR CDs HOME WITH YOU!) i always lose some!
Just relax and listen to the full favorite cuts from the CDs. make certain the vol remote is in YOUR hand, not the salemans!!!
Set the vol to YOUR comfort level. Nearly ALL salesmen turn it up too loud.
ANd again, tell him to be quiet, go help someone else etc. Just get him to leave you alone so you can listen.
(this is usually the hardest thing to accomplish!!!)
Good luck.
Some places can understand your needs, other places (or just salesmen) act like they are doing you a big favor. Some cannot go away, or shut up. sad.
I auditioned my stuff last time at a place I've known the guy for 25 years.. I still had to turn it down, but he knew to leave me alone for three hours. And I went to audition twice for the same pair of Magnepan 3.6s, with Bryston gear.
He got my 20 large.