I go to a lot of high end audio shops and listen to gear as a hobby, I don't think I have ever been in a place where they just plug in a speaker and let you listen while its on the line... The line up is to see them all not to hear them. In the shops I have been in if you are interested in hearing a speaker they pull it out, position it for you, listen to it first, and then have you sit down...
I remember a shop in New Jersey {woodbridge audio on rt35 for the locals down there}, I went there with my brother to buy a used mc integrated amp, got an awesome deal on it, and we listened to a ton of speakers while we were there, the guys in there were super nice, they knew we weren't there for speakers {in a 2 door BMW, we weren't holding anymore than the amp, lol}, and they setup a couple systems let us have the run of the place... That is how it is in almost all the shops I have gone to...
I have been to places {one in California sticks in my mind} where they give you a room, then bring in what you want to hear, the floor was marked with colored lines and each speaker had the corresponding color on it, which was also nice so you could see where a speakers "sweet" spot was in relation with outside walls, so if you seen where the maggies sat and new your room couldn't handle that position comfortably you wouldn't listen to them...
Now I have also been to best buy, and other places where you hit the button on the wall and the speakers are all just where ever they fit, but that is where the old adage "you get what you pay for" comes in...
I am going to Lexington Massachusets tomorrow Ill bet on the way back I find time to stop in and see my friends at Goodwins High End {they are in Waltham}to take a listen to something, I am thinking maybe some magico speakers {they seem to love them, I have heard a few of them, a couple sets there and never super impressed}...
But anyway, in most cases you can get a good idea of what a speaker sounds like in a good store, BUT you need to take them home because them stores are normally treated rooms, and unless you are duplicating that or making it better, than you may be disappointed when you get home...