I'm within 1/2 hr of Toronto, so pretty much all audio products are available. I'm not sure how many retailers here would let me do the home audition thing...obviously that's the best way to go if possible. And yes, I totally agree with you about the fact when someone puts that idea in your head (timbre matching, brightness, muddiness ect) you actually start auditioning with preconceived ideas about that speaker which affects your judgement. Most people think that the more expensive speaker MUST sound better, that is why it is more expensive, blind tests are very revealing however.
