Listening to HTIB in store???

Is this possible?

Today i went to listen to the s6100 onkyo 7.1 htib at a local circuit city. And to me, it just didnt sound right. It sounded as if the vocals were weak and the audio was kinda mushy.

Now ive listend to things in store before, and when they sounded like crap there, they sounded entirely diffrent at home. But i listened to a few of thew other systems, and a few of the cheap ones oni the other side of the isle sounded crisp and clear.

Is it really even worth trying to compare sounds of these systems in such poor audio enviroments?

CC has the ability to somehow make anything sound terrible. I've heard the Onkyo 805 connected to their best speakers that sounded like one of the 80s "boomboxes." So, I don't think you will be able to really judge anything by demoing gear at CC. They do have a 30 day return policy and if that setup looks like it will fill your needs I'd pick it up and take it home to demo it.:2cents

the way i do it - i go to a specialty store, get all the info and business cards, and than order it online!

CC has the ability to somehow make anything sound terrible. I've heard the Onkyo 805 connected to their best speakers that sounded like one of the 80s "boomboxes." So, I don't think you will be able to really judge anything by demoing gear at CC. They do have a 30 day return policy and if that setup looks like it will fill your needs I'd pick it up and take it home to demo it.:2cents

I have to agree with hatt on this one. I have heard 4 s6100 systems setup in peoples homes and they do sound quite good indeed.

hmmm guess that u just cant tell at a store then. Im sure at the specialty stores they have better listening rooms set up, with real audio technitians. Un fortunatly this is also not the type of store that will have HTIB's setup in there room though.

Next month im going to buy the s6100. From all the reviews from owners and the recomendation from L2W it sounds as if i wont be disapointed. And for a htib, its got some pretty deep bass going on, at least thats how it sounded in the store.

the way i do it - i go to a specialty store, get all the info and business cards, and than order it online!

OK, maybe this is just me on my moral high horse, but I feel this statement is improper. <.me> is using the expertise and knowledge of the specialty store personnel/owners without paying for that service/information. If most individuals do this, without purchasing any goods, the specialty stores will go out of business. Then where will I be able to go to get my "dream system" fix??

A guy I used to know would do this all the time--go to a AV or computer store, pick the sales staff's brain, waste their time and then go to Costco to buy the item because it was cheaper. It obliviously still p*sses me off!! Part of what you are paying for at a higher end store is the expertise and knowledge as well as the service. Please respect the intellectual property of others.

I'm getting off the soap box now. my :2cents
Thanks for listening.
dave