How To Audition Speakers: Your Personal Listening Methods

[Kali157]

When someone asks for speaker recommendations, the more experienced members often suggest to listen to speakers and decide for yourself. Unfortunately, it is quite daunting to walk into a show room and listen to speakers. Where do you begin? What do you look for? What do you avoid?

So I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread where we can share our methods for auditioning speakers. I wish to try and limit this to auditioning speakers specifically. My hope is that this thread becomes a resource for less experienced members (like myself) so speaker auditioning can be fun, productive, and less intimidating. I also hope that this would be a place where we can get constructive feedback on our methods. After all, there are quite a few pitfalls and variables when auditioning.

So what music or movies do you bring?
What equipment do you bring (if any)?
What methods do you follow to setup the showroom and equipment for your audition?
What variables do you try to control and how?
What is your actual process for auditioning?
What questions do you ask?

I am sure I forgot some steps. Feel free to fill them in.

[Blu Warrior]

First off, a salesman should start you off with questions about your listening/viewing space, what do you enjoy listening too, how much willing to spend, etc. A good audio store will let you audition speakers or any piece of equipment in your home. As for what to bring? Music-wise, bring CDs of music you know extremely well. Things you've heard many times on different systems. For example, your current speakers, your car stereo, a boombox and the like. Women's vocals are a great test for midrange sounds. Again, a quality store will have a number if audiophile recordings on hand also for you to listen to as well.

Always test speakers for music. Film soundtracks are created differently (foley) and many sounds in a movie are artificially made up. If the speakers sound good with music, theyre gonna sound good with movies but not the other way around.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Blu Warrior

First off, a salesman should start you off with questions about your listening/viewing space, what do you enjoy listening too, how much willing to spend, etc. A good audio store will let you audition speakers or any piece of equipment in your home. As for what to bring? Music-wise, bring CDs of music you know extremely well. Things you've heard many times on different systems. For example, your current speakers, your car stereo, a boombox and the like. Women's vocals are a great test for midrange sounds. Again, a quality store will have a number if audiophile recordings on hand also for you to listen to as well.

Always test speakers for music. Film soundtracks are created differently (foley) and many sounds in a movie are artificially made up. If the speakers sound good with music, theyre gonna sound good with movies but not the other way around.

Thanks, good point on the vocals. As for using what the store has, I am always a little weary of using something I am not familiar with. What music/song do you bring/play?

[-DLS-]

As you know I prefer an in home audition but that is not always possible. I still got 4 weeks for the SALK's to arrive and I might still try the Ascend Sierra-1's. If they have them at the Futureshop the next time I go I will be taking home out the Verita v5.1 bookshelves. I have done that a couple of times with other Energy speakers since they're the only place around me that has a return policy. I have listened to a few speakers in big rooms at stores like Futureshop/Best Buy but never took anything out of those cases. Some speakers that I have heard several times did not sound the same at another place even with similar gear and similar placement. The room takes control but still gives you an idea of differences if you listen to other speakers in the same room with the same gear and placement..

Here's a good guideline for auditioning speakers.

http://www.hometheater.com/advicefro...speakshoptips/

I agree with most or all the points especially taking control of the remote and I usually like to be left alone once everything is set up. Don't like the feeling of somebody behind me in the room. Makes me feel rushed too. I also don't take anything that I know will sound good on most/any speaker.. for example Diana Krall. Her voice is strong and most times that I've heard it playing it would never sound bad. One CD I used to always bring with me is the City of Angels Soundtrack because it has a good mix of all kinds of music and some good vocals. It's also HDCD encoded but sounds good either way. Most places have a good Blu-ray that I almost always have in my collection so I don't bring Blu's just CD's.

[HAMP]

When I was reading the title and going through the opening post, just about everything I was thinking of saying myself Blu Warrior actually hit on.

I would like to add a few more things to think about when going.

Make sure to visit more then one or two shops if possible, because each shop will specialize in a certain manufacture that another store will not. Of course each will believe what they have is better then the other.

I think a person should get a good understanding what the difference between Towers, Bookshelf and satellite speakers.

I person should know what usage percentage should be, such as 50/50, meaning 50 percent movies, 50 percent music.

Knowing the usage percentage and knowing the difference in speaker styles can make a difference in going into a higher level in audio quality with fewer dollars spent.

Or

Getting the best for your hard earned money.

[Blu Warrior]

Definatley listen to as many speaker combos as possible.

As for what i like to bring and play? a few examples are:
Natalie Merchant's Tigerlily Many cuts on that album when its just her voice and very little else going on in the background.

The Eagles track Take it Easy. You should be able to hear the banjo throughout the song taking up its own pocket of air and it should ring through clearly. Find a classic rock radio station and when this song comes on in the car for example, the banjo can only really be heard in the final minute of the song, buts it there throughout.

The Ataris Blue Skis, Broken Hearts... specificly the track San Dimas H.S.Football Rules. The dynamics of the drums are incredible. Very punchy attack. On good speakers, you can really hear the sticks hit the skins.

Slayer's God Hates Us All The whole album is demo worthy. A great blend of good midrange, mid-bass, bass, and highs. One of the best mastered cds around.

The soundtrack to A Thin Red Line. Track 9 has some severe bass around the 4:00min mark. Good for testing a sub's ability to blend with your mains (especialy if you opt for monitors over towers)

and speaking of bass...
Zubin Mehta's recording with the L.A. Philharmonic of Holst's The Planets The cut Saturn ends with many bells which on inferior speakers will sound cluttered but it also ends with an organ pedal bass note that has been said to register at around 16Hz!! If you can afford it get the JVC XRRCD24 bit cd(its like $24), get it!

I also will bring some CCR Sacds as well as Gordon Lightfoot'sGord's Gold, a Star Wars soundtrack, Iron Maiden's Powerslave and anything else I can think of that I know like the back of my hand. Also, like the poster a few above me said, any Dianna Krall Cd is very well recorded and since its jazz, you should really listen to the walking bass lines as a way to determine the speakers ability to keep up in the mid-bass region.

Most of all, select a speaker that sounds good to you. Everyone's ear is different and afterall, you're the one who will be listening.That said, you shouldnt "hear" the speaker but it should sound like the performer(s) are in the room with you playing live.

Hop onto some websites such as musicdirect.com, acousticsounds.com and have them send you catalogs (they're free) and go to the bookstore and browse through magazines such as The Absolute Sound, Stereophile, etc for some great reviews on everything from affordable to outragous priced speakers and equipment and for advice on what to listen for.

[Almadacr]

I agree what was said before minus what "we" bring to audition speakers , normally "we" bring Movies/music that "we" know certain parts and like it and are very familiar coming out truth several set`s of speakers . In your case "we" can`t be in your person and what you like or what you know regarding a certain music or movie . This is more of a personal taste than anything else . If i say to you to take a certain cd from Iron Maiden but you hate heavy metal how good is that for you ?????

[arrt vandelay]

i'm a very big fan of the in-home audition. there's no better way to see whether or not you're going to like a pair of speakers than to test them in your room with your own equipment.

of course internet direct brands would be the logical choice here, but you may have an understanding dealer looking for a sale. granted you may have to pay a return shipping fee on internet direct brands, but like i said, you'll definitely get a better feel for the speaker than you'd get in any showroom.

i tried out my ascend acoustics sierra-1s on a whim and absolutely loved them in my room. if i didn't like them, i would have only been out around $40 to ship them back.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by -DLS-

As you know I prefer an in home audition but that is not always possible. I still got 4 weeks for the SALK's to arrive and I might still try the Ascend Sierra-1's. If they have them at the Futureshop the next time I go I will be taking home out the Verita v5.1 bookshelves. I have done that a couple of times with other Energy speakers since they're the only place around me that has a return policy. I have listened to a few speakers in big rooms at stores like Futureshop/Best Buy but never took anything out of those cases. Some speakers that I have heard several times did not sound the same at another place even with similar gear and similar placement. The room takes control but still gives you an idea of differences if you listen to other speakers in the same room with the same gear and placement..

Here's a good guideline for auditioning speakers.

http://www.hometheater.com/advicefro...speakshoptips/

I agree with most or all the points especially taking control of the remote and I usually like to be left alone once everything is set up. Don't like the feeling of somebody behind me in the room. Makes me feel rushed too. I also don't take anything that I know will sound good on most/any speaker.. for example Diana Krall. Her voice is strong and most times that I've heard it playing it would never sound bad. One CD I used to always bring with me is the City of Angels Soundtrack because it has a good mix of all kinds of music and some good vocals. It's also HDCD encoded but sounds good either way. Most places have a good Blu-ray that I almost always have in my collection so I don't bring Blu's just CD's.

Are you talking about the Sierra-1 NrT towers or the bookshelves? Are the towers even out? Thanks for the link DLS. That is a good idea about the City of Angles CD. I need to dig up our copy.

Originally Posted by Blu Warrior

Definatley listen to as many speaker combos as possible.

As for what i like to bring and play? a few examples are:
Natalie Merchant's Tigerlily Many cuts on that album when its just her voice and very little else going on in the background.

The Eagles track Take it Easy. You should be able to hear the banjo throughout the song taking up its own pocket of air and it should ring through clearly. Find a classic rock radio station and when this song comes on in the car for example, the banjo can only really be heard in the final minute of the song, buts it there throughout.

The Ataris Blue Skis, Broken Hearts... specificly the track San Dimas H.S.Football Rules. The dynamics of the drums are incredible. Very punchy attack. On good speakers, you can really hear the sticks hit the skins.

Slayer's God Hates Us All The whole album is demo worthy. A great blend of good midrange, mid-bass, bass, and highs. One of the best mastered cds around.

The soundtrack to A Thin Red Line. Track 9 has some severe bass around the 4:00min mark. Good for testing a sub's ability to blend with your mains (especialy if you opt for monitors over towers)

and speaking of bass...
Zubin Mehta's recording with the L.A. Philharmonic of Holst's The Planets The cut Saturn ends with many bells which on inferior speakers will sound cluttered but it also ends with an organ pedal bass note that has been said to register at around 16Hz!! If you can afford it get the JVC XRRCD24 bit cd(its like $24), get it!

I also will bring some CCR Sacds as well as Gordon Lightfoot'sGord's Gold, a Star Wars soundtrack, Iron Maiden's Powerslave and anything else I can think of that I know like the back of my hand. Also, like the poster a few above me said, any Dianna Krall Cd is very well recorded and since its jazz, you should really listen to the walking bass lines as a way to determine the speakers ability to keep up in the mid-bass region.

Most of all, select a speaker that sounds good to you. Everyone's ear is different and afterall, you're the one who will be listening.That said, you shouldnt "hear" the speaker but it should sound like the performer(s) are in the room with you playing live.

Hop onto some websites such as musicdirect.com, acousticsounds.com and have them send you catalogs (they're free) and go to the bookstore and browse through magazines such as The Absolute Sound, Stereophile, etc for some great reviews on everything from affordable to outragous priced speakers and equipment and for advice on what to listen for.

Nice list... and thanks for the explanation. I am definitely looking into some of those suggestions. I bring that Natalie Merchant CD or vinyl as well. I didn't know about that Eagles track... will have to listen for it once I put my TT back together.

Originally Posted by arrt vandelay

i'm a very big fan of the in-home audition. there's no better way to see whether or not you're going to like a pair of speakers than to test them in your room with your own equipment.

of course internet direct brands would be the logical choice here, but you may have an understanding dealer looking for a sale. granted you may have to pay a return shipping fee on internet direct brands, but like i said, you'll definitely get a better feel for the speaker than you'd get in any showroom.

i tried out my ascend acoustics sierra-1s on a whim and absolutely loved them in my room. if i didn't like them, i would have only been out around $40 to ship them back.

In-home is ideal. But I guess this thread is more for narrowing down your choices with in-home being the final step. When I chose my center channel, I took home a Paradigm from a dealer to compare. I don't know of any dealer that is so understanding as to let you take home 5 pairs of speakers. If you do... post it. BTW some ID companies pay for return shipping.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

I agree what was said before minus what "we" bring to audition speakers , normally "we" bring Movies/music that "we" know certain parts and like it and are very familiar coming out truth several set`s of speakers . In your case "we" can`t be in your person and what you like or what you know regarding a certain music or movie . This is more of a personal taste than anything else . If i say to you to take a certain cd from Iron Maiden but you hate heavy metal how good is that for you ?????

I see your point, but the example is a bit on the extreme end. Some members will share some tastes in music. If you post heavy metal material that you use to audition, I am sure some other members enjoy that genre even if I do not. But even if I did not share your taste in music, this is about auditioning speakers' capabilities. Sure, I would definitely suggest bringing music you like. But some material are good for testing regardless of genre. As an example, even if I do not listen to classical music frequently, Blu Warrior's suggestion of Holst's The Planets sounds like great material to test low frequencies.

I guess I should be clearer: I have some auditioning practices already. They are not perfect, and I would enjoy new material or even discussion on how to make that process better. The other purpose of the thread was just reference material for other members.

[Johnny Vinyl]

You'll have a difficult time getting your local audio dealer to let you audition in-home. Those days are long gone, although if you have a standing relationship with one it could be realized.

Here is what I do, and it's by no means the perfect solution, but it does help. Once I decide on one or two speakers I have them set them up in their main audio room (most good audio dealers will have one), and have them hook it up to some lower-to-medium equipment (not the high-end stuff). I do this because my equipment is of lower-to-medium quality. And in my case I always request a vinyl demonstration and I bring my own LP's.

Once I have made my decision and am ready to purchase, I have the dealer write on the invoice that I have 10 days to bring them back for a full 100% refund (no re-stocking charge), should I not be happy with them.

Throughout the years that I've been buying audio equipment, this method has never failed me. YMMV though

[Kali157]

I have been in the market for tower speakers. Besides the testing material, I bring a test tone CD, SPL meter, and measuring tape.

Before I listen to speakers, I check the distances in the settings. If I am comparing 2 speakers side by side, I change the distance on the receiver in between switching. I also use the test tone CD and SPL meter to level match speakers w/ the main volume control. This is especially helpful if comparing two speakers from one receiver since the volume change sometimes throws me off. When I switch from one speaker to the next, I change the volume and distances.

In terms of EQ, I have kept the room correction off when comparing towers side by side. I just don't know if the EQ is helping one set of speaker over another. I guess if I am auditioning a complete surround system with movies w/ only one system in the room, then I would keep it on.

Finally, I try to check the entire connection to all the speakers I am listening to.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by John72953

You'll have a difficult time getting your local audio dealer to let you audition in-home. Those days are long gone, although if you have a standing relationship with one it could be realized.

Here is what I do, and it's by no means the perfect solution, but it does help. Once I decide on one or two speakers I have them set them up in their main audio room (most good audio dealers will have one), and have them hook it up to some lower-to-medium equipment (not the high-end stuff). I do this because my equipment is of lower-to-medium quality. And in my case I always request a vinyl demonstration and I bring my own LP's.

Once I have made my decision and am ready to purchase, I have the dealer write on the invoice that I have 10 days to bring them back for a full 100% refund (no re-stocking charge), should I not be happy with them.

Throughout the years that I've been buying audio equipment, this method has never failed me. YMMV though

I like the idea of hooking up to lower-to-medium equipment. I am about to call a dealer to finalize setup of auditioning some Wharfedales... I am going to ask for this.

Yes, if you are going to take it home to try it out, GET ANY RETURN POLICY IN WRITING! When I took home a cc390 to compare w/ my 6C, the dealer manager tried to stick me with a restocking fee when I returned it. I just showed him the invoice showing no restocking fee from the sales person (who was conveniently nowhere to be found).

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by Kali157

I guess I should be clearer: I have some auditioning practices already. They are not perfect, and I would enjoy new material or even discussion on how to make that process better. The other purpose of the thread was just reference material for other members.

Gotcha

[-DLS-]

Originally Posted by Kali157

Are you talking about the Sierra-1 NrT towers or the bookshelves? Are the towers even out? Thanks for the link DLS. That is a good idea about the City of Angles CD. I need to dig up our copy.

If I do order the Ascends it will be the Sierra-1's not the towers so the shipping will be much less. I would compare them to the SALK surrounds instead if the SongTowers to be fair since they are around the same price and size. The towers are only available for preorder with no firm date yet. There is one owner so far but many have heard them. They're supposed to be a nice improvement over both Sierra-1's NrT and non-NrT versions.

I also just ordered a pair of the Energy Verita Towers instead of the bookshelves so I can ccompare them to the other two towers all approx in the same price range. It'll be a fun month - hopefully the SALKS get here before the 30 days is up on the Veritas. If not I'll still have an idea of what I like better since all listening will be in the same room with the same gear and placement.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by -DLS-

If I do order the Ascends it will be the Sierra-1's not the towers so the shipping will be much less. I would compare them to the SALK surrounds instead if the SongTowers to be fair since they are around the same price and size. The towers are only available for preorder with no firm date yet. There is one owner so far but many have heard them. They're supposed to be a nice improvement over both Sierra-1's NrT and non-NrT versions.

I also just ordered a pair of the Energy Verita Towers instead of the bookshelves so I can ccompare them to the other two towers all approx in the same price range. It'll be a fun month - hopefully the SALKS get here before the 30 days is up on the Veritas. If not I'll still have an idea of what I like better since all listening will be in the same room with the same gear and placement.

Did you win the lottery? After not touching your system for quite awhile you've been on fire lately buying gear. I'll be interested in your impressions between all the different gear your accumulating.

[callas01]

I take a lot of different music. I like to take Tori Amos, John Mayer, Incubis, something acoustic, something piano, and something fast paced. I like to do that cause it puts a lot of different music that I listen to thru the speakers and test to see how well they do it all. Some speakers might be better at one or the other, but thats not what I want, I want speakers that do it all. As i am going to be playing it all.

Movies aren't really a concern for me, as I am of the belief that speakers that handle the intricate details of music, will likewise handle everything that a movie can throw at them. But the opposite is not always the same.

I think you have to listen to the same speakers more then once, I think 3 times is perfect, I think as you hear the same speakers over and over and over you get a real sense of them. The first time you may be super impressed with one or more, and its easy to do that with all the great speakers out there, so I think after a few times, you begin to seperate the speakers from each other and get a better sense of each one, and you will develop a real love for one.

I auditioned over 20 speakers this last time. I first heard Dali with other speakers like Canton and Monitor Audio, and Dali really made me love them. Then I heard them again with Totem, Amphion and Dynaudios, and I really liked the Totems, so I went back and heard all 3 again, and thought it was gonna be more of the same, Totem and Dyn, with Totem ahead. But this time I liked the Dyns a little more... I was so confused(seriously, you can ask rded(Rhett) and BigAl(Oliver)) I didn't know what to buy, everyday I changed my mind. Went back again... yep, the Dyns were begining to supplant themselves and the best of the 3 speakers to my ears. I went back a 4th time... and thats when I knew, I wanted the Dyns, cause they were the only speakers I wanted to listen to. And so I started a Payment plan to buy them.

[-DLS-]

Originally Posted by aces high

Did you win the lottery? After not touching your system for quite awhile you've been on fire lately buying gear. I'll be interested in your impressions between all the different gear your accumulating.

I wish I won the lottery I stopped buying tickets awhile back though.

A promotion is likely to happen for me by this time next year. Not much of a pay increase but now there's a good chance that I could be posted to another place in the next couple of years and if/when that happens then I will finally have the funds to buy what I really want. For now I want to try out whatever I can at home to get a feel for what I really Want when the time comes. I still will be checking out other stuff af stores though and have been able to do so a few times these past few months. Still like the Paradigm sound even after hearing several other speakers. If the SALK's are really as good as people say - I might move up the line instead of Paradigm Sig's. We'll see. They really seem to be tough to beat dollar for dollar from what I've read.

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by -DLS-

I wish I won the lottery I stopped buying tickets awhile back though.

A promotion is likely to happen for me by this time next year. Not much of a pay increase but now there's a good chance that I could be posted to another place in the next couple of years and if/when that happens then I will finally have the funds to buy what I really want. For now I want to try out whatever I can at home to get a feel for what I really Want when the time comes. I still will be checking out other stuff af stores though and have been able to do so a few times these past few months. Still like the Paradigm sound even after hearing several other speakers. If the SALK's are really as good as people say - I might move up the line instead of Paradigm Sig's. We'll see. They really seem to be tough to beat dollar for dollar from what I've read.

I heard set like yours with the exception of the subs , and i have to say that IMO , your speakers are one of the best for a HT environment out there that anyone with the money can go to store and take it home , i even recommended a set similar to yours to a friend of mine but he prefered the Klipsch

[-DLS-]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

I heard set like yours with the exception of the subs , and i have to say that IMO , your speakers are one of the best for a HT environment out there that anyone with the money can go to store and take it home , i even recommended a set similar to yours to a friend of mine but he prefered the Klipsch

Thanks.. I agree after listening to several speakers over the last few months I still haven't heard anything as dynamic for HT and as the Paradigms. Yhey really fill the room and put you right in the movie. It's really hard for me to find a center speaker better than the CC-690. The center speaker for the SALK's I ordered are alot smaller and are an MTM design so I hope it's not a big downgrade there. I have someone offering a good price for them and has been bugging me for them lately. I know I'm not gonna get a better offer so I might give them to him this week. I'll at least have the Energys for now.