Subwoofer for my HT System.

[Dusty Chalk]

Good shops will often loan you their floor model to try something out at home too, which is really nice. No big money involved but a chance to try it where it counts.

People keep saying this, but I have yet to experience this myself. Maybe it's the way I look (long haired hippy/scary looking guy), but they usually want me to put the cost of the item down as a deposit ... you know, just in case I don't come back. Of course, to be fair, they'd then have to ask everyone else to do the same.

And to be clear: I don't have a problem with this. In more than one case, I have decided to keep the equipment and not come back. It just saves me a trip. And if you don't have the money to put down on it, then you probably shouldn't be taking it home. And if you're not serious enough about it to plunk the money down, even as a deposit, why the L are you taking it home?

I mean, it's not a black and white thing -- once you bought it, you have to keep it. There's nothing that says that that has to be the way it is. Of course, you should check beforehand that it's returnable. I had one guy (arse-hole, mostly) tell me that if I wanted to return it beyond the 30 day window, I could, but then we'd have to start looking at a restocking fee. I think if I'd have asked if we could waive that, he would've, as the item in question was in a middlin' high demand (limited edition Special 25 speaker from Dynaudio).

[kexodusc]

Dusty's right. The new business model is factory direct with 30-day money back guarantee. It might not be what the consumer wants, but it's effective.
More to the point, I've heard probably a dozen different internet/factory-direct brands now, and I'm absolutely convinced that for speakers and subs (in that price category - often $1000 or less for a pair or sub), those brands are often beating their traditional brick & mortar store competition. Once you get into the $1500+ range, internet direct companies become fewer and far between - but there's still a few and they make damn fine products for the money.

That's a big admission for me too- a few years back I was dead set against them. I believed the return policy was an unfair burden on the consumer. But it's not really. Most stores I know won't do the in-home demo unless you pay for it up front anyway - so both methods have the 30 day return policy. The difference is shipping vs. time, and travel costs to return the product yourself. B&M probably has the advantage there, but I don't think it's that big anymore.

There's so many Axiom, Rocket, Ascend, SVS, HSU etc owners in most cities now that it's not hard to setup a demo if you're really so inclined to try them out first.

Some people aren't comfortable with that route, so there's always the local hi-fi shop, but for those who are, there's a lot of great options and values to be found.

Either way, that business model is here to stay.

[Geoffcin]

People keep saying this, but I have yet to experience this myself. Maybe it's the way I look (long haired hippy/scary looking guy), but they usually want me to put the cost of the money down as a deposit ... you know, just in case I don't come back. Of course, to be fair, they'd then have to ask everyone else to do the same.

I agree with Rusty Hawk on this; Getting a piece of Hi-Fi equipment on loan is a difficult thing unless your talking upscale to major high-end. A $500 sub is not something that there's a big enough markup on that loaning one out makes sense. A $10,000 amp might. Of course you'll also have to have a working relationship with your dealer too, as I can't see anyone loaning you some ML Summit's if you've just walked in off the street.

[Rock789]

fyi...

I have been to a couple audio stores across ohio, and into pa which asked if I wanted to demo something in my system...
I inquired about the process at two locations and the process was the same...

they put a hold on my credit card for the amount of the item... that is... I sign a credit card statement just like a bill, but, the money is not actually charged, a "hold" is placed on the amount of money,...
e.g. If i have a $5k credit limit, and a hold is placed for a $1k sub, my credit limit is now only $4k...

I can keep the unit for a week or two, then if I want the unit, I call in, and tell them to bill me... in which case the $1k would be billed to my credit card, or if I don't want the unit, I simply return it... nothing is ever billed to me...

not all stores may be like this... but one in canton ohio and one in columbus ohio are like this...

(I have not checked the process at other stores)

hope this helps,
Mike

edit... the columbus store's item I was discussing was ~$700 2ch amp...

[RoyY51]

If you're looking to go the internet route (with a 30 day return policy) I urge you to consider the Outlaw LFM-1. I've had mine for about a year now, and I can truthfully say that it's one of the best audio investments that I've ever made. I auditioned several other brands (Hsu, Velodyne, etc...) and none of them matched the value that this $579.00 beast offers. I don't think you're going to find this rare combination of tuneful musicality and feel-it-in-your-chest aggression anywhere else for under $1000. Especially when paying the usual bricks-and-mortar markup.

[emorphien]

Of course you'll also have to have a working relationship with your dealer too, as I can't see anyone loaning you some ML Summit's if you've just walked in off the street.

I'm certainly not a high end customer as a graduate student, but my store remembers me and I suppose I do have a bit of a working relationship with them. They've offered to let me try speakers starting at $800 a pair at home.

But you are all probably right, there's probably a lot of variables. Just going from my experience and what others have said, some shops may work with you if they know you and let you borrow things.

[Geoffcin]

I'm certainly not a high end customer as a graduate student, but my store remembers me and I suppose I do have a bit of a working relationship with them. They've offered to let me try speakers starting at $800 a pair at home.

But you are all probably right, there's probably a lot of variables. Just going from my experience and what others have said, some shops may work with you if they know you and let you borrow things.

And when your talking speakers it makes good sense. However, I wouldn't discount the internet direct-to-consumer manufacturers. My first taste was the Axiom system;

http://www.audioreview.com/AXIOMINTROcrx.aspx

[emorphien]

However, I wouldn't discount the internet direct-to-consumer manufacturers.

I like them quite well. In fact I have Axiom speakers now (which I am looking to upgrade from) but I took the Internet Direct "gamble" on them and was happy.

I think the pro-internet direct argument is easier to handle when you've got more money to work with because dealing with receiving and returning and having your money away from you at that time is somewhat daunting for someone such as myself who doesn't have income from a job. I get a stipend from school but only a little each month gets saved after bills and the like.