A Speaker Only B&M Store???

[Cristofori]

Considering how speakers are the most critical, preferential and varied component to an A/V system, and how important it is to fully audition them with the correct set-up/environment, I'm surprised there aren't any "speaker only" higher-end B&M stores around (if there are, I never heard of one).

If a store eliminated all the other less crucial gear easily available (and returnable) online or at mass market stores, and focused solely on speakers, they could carry far more brands and types of speakers than the average high-end store, and have rooms and staff fully dedicated to speaker know how. Of course, there can still be room for all those wonderful speaker accessories (cables, stands, etc.)

This is all assuming of course that:

1. The staff is very knowledgeable and that the speakers are set up and displayed to the best of their particular advantages.

2. The staff were not pretentious, stuck-up, intimidating jerks and didn't hassle customers on returns.

3. The store was in a larger city.

As many have stated here: who wants to buy speakers based solely on hearsay, then deal with the serious hassle of re-packing, re-shipping large speakers that you didn't like, plus all the potential re-stocking fees, etc., damage, insurance, etc.

I think something like this could be successful if done correctly.

 

[Midwesthonky]

I hate to cramp on your theory because I would LOVE such a store.

But the reality is, how could it compete against the ignorant masses trained via mega-million advertising that a home-theater-system-in-a-box is really good?

Walmart would have to do something to shut it down. If people figure out that speakers not in a big box can actually sound good, then they might start to question the other items they sell. Tough to compete against a jugernaught with lawyers and no scruples.

 

[tom67]

Maybe small Kiosks in stores like Costco.....That what Dell Computer did rather than invest much in brick and mortar or stay strictly on line...

 

[woofersus]

Another obstacle to that kind of store is that you need amps and sources to demo the speakers for people. It doesn't really make sense not to offer the amps and sources for sale if you have to have them in the store and people are listening to them. There are definitely some stores that focus on speakers a little more than the other things, but anytime somebody buys a pair of speakers they're driving them with something, and it might as well be the amp they just heard them with when they loved the speakers. You never want to send somebody away to complete their purchase.

The only real alternative is a warehouse type store where people can buy speakers but not really demo them, but then it's sort of like ID without the cost structure benefits.

 

[highfigh]

Maybe small Kiosks in stores like Costco.....That what Dell Computer did rather than invest much in brick and mortar or stay strictly on line...

How can sound quality be determined in a kiosk? Speakers are the only part of a system that needs to be listened to, to the degree that they do. The electronics make far less difference and the speakers actually interact with the room. To demo a computer, you need a surface to put it on and a power supply.

 

[highfigh]

Considering the incredible variety of speakers that are available, Murphy's Law says that, whatever a store carries, it won't be what people want. Sure, some may be popular but the rest will just sit there. Go to the high-end dealers in any large city and ask which speakers never sell and I can guarantee you'll be surprised by the highly regarded dogs.

O'Toole's Corollary to Murphy's Law is part of this scenario, too.