How Do You Buy A State-Of-The-Art Sound System?
If music is important to you–indeed, if you find that your daily life requires a soundtrack–then having the best-quality sound may be your top priority. Forget those department-store all-in-one-systems. There’s a whole world of high-end, high-priced audio equipment just waiting for your discriminating ears (and discretionary income). Step 1 Let your listening habits and desires be your guide. You should assemble a system that sounds great to you, not a salesperson. Step 2 Assess your living and work spaces. A system that sounds incredible in a small demonstration room might sound crummy in a large, high-ceilinged living room. Step 3 Bring your own music when you shop. You’ll know the nuances of that music better than demo CDs designed to highlight an audio system’s strengths. Step 4 Listen to systems without regard to price range, at least at first. You want to hear–if it’s perceptible–why prices vary so much. Try to listen to various components in isolation. If you’re comparing tw
