There's a lot to like about Headphone Bar. The own...

There's a lot to like about Headphone Bar. The owner is knowledgeable, personable and gives good customer service. There's a great selection with several highly regarded brands and models. All products and prices are well displayed. The prices are fair. The web site is current, well organized and regularly updated.

That said, there's one problem. In a word it's noise.

When I'm dropping serious money it's important that I am able to evaluate and compare before making a purchase. I've been an audiophile for decades and I know what to listen for. But the constant heavy street traffic just outside the door, and the sound of the patrons coming and going and talking makes it impossible to listen to the equipment in such a way that it can be properly assessed. So much detail and nuance is simply buried by the ambient noise, even when listening at high volumes.

The store is physically too small for a dedicated and isolated listening room. So until if and when it can expand to a bigger store one solution is to permit the borrowing of items with a suitable deposit and/or fee. This isn't unheard of. Years ago it was common practice in the better hifi stores to loan equipment for home evaluation.