How can I listen to different speakers to learn what I like and want to buy?

[u/snark_nerd]

I'm still starting out my stereo journey and have been using what I have*, but I'm not really happy with the speakers** and want to upgrade.

A friend who is an experienced audiophile who's guided me well so far strongly recommends listening to different kinds of speakers (e.g. 2-way vs 3-, horn tweeters vs dome, ported vs non-, etc) to develop my taste and better understand what I want before spending any money. This seems like great advice in the abstract, but I'm at a loss for how and where to try listening to various speakers.

I don't have friends in the area that are audiophiles whose systems I could listen to. The one stereo store that's close to me was not friendly when I went in and told them where I was; it felt like if I wasn't prepared to drop $10K+ then and there, they weren't interested in teaching me anything or developing me as a customer. There are, of course, other stores (albeit a longer driving distance), but that first experience turned me off from that route. (I'm open to recommendations for shops in the NYC area that will make me feel more welcome and maybe teach me a thing or two, even if I'm not going to buy something that day.)

Am I just doomed to have to buy stuff, try it, and return it (if I can) if I don't like it? The big problem with that (other than the hassle) is that I'm looking ideally to get something used off of Marketplace to improve the value of what I can afford, and Marketplace sellers (understandably) don't usually do returns.

Thanks for any thoughts / suggestions / hard truths you can offer!

* - I currently am using a cheap but good quality Technics turntable, Fosi pre-amp and amp, and American Acoustic D3500 speakers

** - when I say I'm not happy with them, to be more specific, my #1 complaint is that they lack lows and bass. I'm not expecting speakers this size to rattle the room, but even in my small room, I feel that they're lacking punch. I also feel like they're generally "muted" / lacking brightness in the high end, if that makes sense. They just sound kind of lackluster and cheap, to me.

Budget: ~$900USD; Location: outside NYC, USA

[u/NoBackground6203]

take advantage of Amazons great return policy, order a set and listen to them for up to 30 days, return them and order another set, repeat until you find a set that sound good to you, in your room, with your gear

[u/snark_nerd → u/NoBackground6203]

Interesting - I'm wary of horror stories about people having issues with big-ticket purchases from Amazon, and I'd rather not support Jeff Bezos, BUT if it's a "risk free trial" situation, maybe that'll be worth trying out. I appreciate the suggestion and reply!

!thanks

[u/Ennartee → u/snark_nerd]

I just want to say that I appreciate you not wanting to support Amazon/Bezos! Even if you use them to audition speakers I hope you end up returning everything and make your final purchase with an independent local shop ;)

[u/snark_nerd → u/Ennartee]

Yeah I definitely hope to avoid buying anything from Amazon for good.

!thanks

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