Hi Skvandhi,
I understand from your first post that you are looking for guidelines that will help you setup all involved components based on a common criteria (for e.g keeping Bass /treble neutral, listening to speakers at same volume level etc.)
For above, I have the addtional advice:
Ask the audio-setup demonstrator, what is the recommended clear space to be left around the speaker being auditioned, then decide how much space you can afford to leave in your room. You should first listen the speaker at recommended location, and then at the location that is feasible at home. This approach may take twice the time, but will give you more realistic assessment of the best speaker
can sound and how it
would eventually sound at home.
Some suggestions:
1. Before you go for audition, think about what kind of sound you are looking for, that will make your next audio-setup more
enjoyable than your present one. There is always a past reference (it may even be your mass-market TV sound). May be you are looking for better bass than your existing system, or more dynamics etc. This
basic preference should be the first criteria for making choice during audition.
2. While exploring the audio scene on web or thru talk with audiophiles, you may not understand /appreciate terms* like, tone being "strident /airy /brittle" etc.... don't worry too much about it. Art appreciation develops over some time, and there is no need to wait for audition till you start appreciating majority of such terms. While technical assessment does lead to better choice, don't allow your brain to get ahead of your heart. Focus first on
enjoyment factor, then on whatever technicalities you can appreciate presently.
*terms example >>
http://www.hifivision.com/articles-guides/7452-cheat-sheet-terms-used-oddiophiles.html
Hope the above helps,
Regds,
Sonosphere