Finally got around to going shopping for speakers today. What a trip. Went to the GC in Marietta, GA. I don't know why I always get the feeling that if you're over 40, the staff looks at you like you just wandered off from the local nursing home. Apparently they draw straws and the short straw gets to wait on you.

Since I knew I was going to the pro audio section, I had the foresight to bring ear plugs. Even though it was mid day on Monday and nobody was in the area, five different sets of speakers hooked up to the in-house 5000w super amp, were cranked to about 3 o'clock. Using sign language, I finally got someone to turn the speakers down to a point where my brain stopped vibrating.

First I tried the Peavey PR15's. No joy. Compared them to a pair of similarly spec'ed but slightly higher priced, Yamahas. Sounded completely different but didn't like either. The sales guy, who was obviously a big Yamaha fan, kept insisting that I would like the next level up Yamaha. Three more levels up and we were up to $1000 (UNPOWERED) speakers that weighed at least half a ton each. He suggested that maybe my wife could help me move them. Heck, the two of US couldn't even move them. Plus, they would require a larger amp than the Mackie 808S that I already owned and had planned to use. By that time, I was too stressed from ear fatigue to test any more speakers, but to keep the trip from being a complete waste, I bought a pair of balanced speaker cables. This required that I have my receipt stamped at the exit door, which was manned by a tattooed young lady who looked remarkably similar to the picture of a 16 yr-old runnaway posted at the local supermarket. Cassp, those Cerwin Vegas are starting to sound better all the time. I plan to go back maybe next week once the self-induced tinnitus subsides a little. I'll report back then.

chas