It always amazes me how the a lot (not some, a lot) of retail sales people haven't the appropriate knowledge to work with potential customers especially when they've got their hand in their wallets. The customer's best interest should always be paramount in this process. Some good advise I've read here is to never bash the competition, I agree. Trust me, you look foolish. Good companies/sales people will ask a series of open-ended questions at the start... i.e. "Are you looking at a HT setup?" "Stereo only?" "Combination"? "What is your budget?" "Room size?" "What are your long and short-term audio goals?" After these questions are answered (and recorded) then and only then should systems/speakers be presented to best match those responses. If anyone comes across and starts to "sell" you after coming thru the front door - walk away. Their profit is primary; not you.
