Try before you buy?

[mrholder]

Is there a US retailer that allows you to try headphones/earbuds before you buy them? Specifically noise isolating/cancelling earbuds, not cans.

[shigzeo]

You know, sometimes you see them, sometimes you don't: one is J&R, but they are hard to find. In Asia, you see them all over which is nice, but for some reason, buying a camera lens which costs... like 2000$ you cannot try out... grumble.

I've seen this question asked often, but it is hard to ask.

[Ron]

Why not find a retailer that allows you to return them if they do not sound good? When you return with the receipt just say they had a static sound or something? Kind of a cheeky thing to do but you get to try a few out....

[mrholder]

Thanks Ron. I've done that before, but just one return here and there. Beware of returning to Best Buy here in the U.S. They keep a percentage as a "restocking" fee. I'm fairly satisfied with the inexpensive ear buds I have now, but would like to eventually graduate up to a nicer pair.