Buying new speakers can be a real pain.

[capt.chaos]

I want to buy new speakers. It should be easy. Look up speakers that meet my criteria and fit in my budget. Then go have a listen. Buy the pair that sounds best to me. But I live in a small market and have to travel to listen and compare. It can be weeks or months between sessions. My memory is even worse than my hearing. So it makes a real comparison impossible. Plus some brands do not have a dealer even reasonably close. It is too large of a purchase for me to make with out listening first. I wanted to compare Legacy Focus SE speakers, Klipsch P38F speakers, Montana EPS-2, and EPX speakers. It is over seven hours to a legacy dealer that stocks the speakers I want to demo. With work I don't know how many months it will be before I have the time to travel there to have a listen. I listened to the Klipsch several months ago. I remember they sounded nice but I don't really remember exactly how they sounded. The closest stocking dealer is over four hours away. It will be three months before I am able to go back and have another listen. There is a Montana dealer one hour away from my house. I am going tomorrow for a listening session. Comparing speakers where I live is a real pain. If I like the way the Montana speakers sound I might just go with them. It would be nice to have my dealer reasonably close.

[audio bill]

I would suggest that once you audition a speaker that is right for you in the price class you're in, it should be such a memorable experience that you shouldn't have trouble recalling exactly how it sounded. Especially if it's with electronics like you will be using to drive them, which can be a critical factor. The three lines of speakers that you mentioned you're interested in all have very different perspectives and strengths. From your current listed systems it seems that you have a fondness for Klipsch. They definitely have the most forward and immediate sound of the bunch. The Montanas are probably the most neutral and seamless sounding. Good luck with your quest and try to enjoy the process, it should be fun! If you find it getting too stressful you can end up making a bad choice.

[Masterlu]

Agreed... it is always very difficult to compare your final choices in a single location. I wasn't able to do it; which is why I chose the speakers that I currently own. Granted, they are for the audio business; but they have each proven to be stand outs in their own class.

[schneice]

Completely agree. Similar issue for me. My solution was: reference set of recordings, detailed notes, and a wife whose memory I trust more than my own.

And we haven't even gotten into issues of rooms and differences in electronics!

[Haurock]

Capt Chaos: I feel your frustration. Since the human ear has no memory, you have to recall how you felt, how your reacted, how you responded emotionally. Take notes and try to be as specific as possible. Use point scales on several different factors that are important.

Remember that when you go listen to speakers in most decent audio stores most speakers, will sound rather good so you have to determine as best you can, what you want from listening to music.

Don't feel pressured to buy quickly take your time.. enjoy the auditioning experience..

Good luck.

[elbig]

Take selfies as you audition to analyze your reaction to each speaker or record each speaker on your smartphone and use that for A/B comparisons.

[2fastdriving]

This journey should be fun. I guess your frustration is more about not having any access due to your location.

I'd recommend going to an audio show so you can meet the people behind the products and hear everything you'd ever want to. But...sometimes those audio shows don't show the products in the best light, either.

And going to an audio show to discover new brands is probably only helpful if you are looking to spend a decent amount, given that you will spend a grand or so to even go to one.

But i've found this to be a helpful tool to discover new products and meet the people behind them and hear their philosophy. It's fun.

Another way to go is to buy a brand and model that is universally a "best buy" with great reviews and feedback here on AA as well as other sources. I just looked up some of your speakers to see their retail and Aerial's 7t is in your price range. They are great! You should call Ivan to get some information on them (and other brands).

[bart]

Marc, good advice!

capt.chaos, have you thought about visiting Ivan? He has a lot of brands you can hear in the best circumstances..

[Still-One]

If you find a dealer that carries one or more brands that interest you some will reimburse some or all of your travel expenses if you purchase from them.

[Car commander]

I have the same issue. I read reviews and listen to people who's advice I trust.
Ivan gives great advice even if he is not selling it to you.