Keep the Other Components Consistent

• Sound quality is determined not only by the speakers themselves but also by the power source, audio source, speaker wire, and even the media used for the demonstration. Keep all of these factors consistent when comparing speaker systems. Some stores use more expensive components for demonstrations of high-end speaker systems which can create an unfair comparison to more inexpensive speaker systems.
  
  

Use a Shared Listening Environment

• The room itself can also play a significant role in the overall sound quality produced by the speakers. The shape of the room, the building material used, whether or not the room has been acoustically treated, and other objects in the room can all affect the sound quality of a speaker system. Compare speaker systems in the same room whenever possible.
  
  

Listen with your Ears Only

• The way a speaker looks, the brand name on the front, and even the price tag can all subconsciously influence our perception of the audio quality of a speaker system. The best way to be truly objective in a speaker comparison is to close your eyes while you listen and let someone else handle the demonstration. This way you can decide which speaker system is right for you based solely on sound quality.