You need to go into a CI or hi-fi shop and take one home for demo anyway. Listening to a sub in a showroom (no matter where it is) will mean nothing. Most firms will allow this.

Unfortunately I assumed this would be the outcome for your repair search due to my own personal experience with an Energy sub....that's why it's now serving its second half of its life in the garage system. A guy needs some bumps while detailing the cars, right?