Auditioning in the UK
Does anyone know of ANYWHERE in England where I can actually audition headphones properly (like high-end Senns, beyers, AKGs, Grados etc)? I had a good root around in London and found nowhere 
I suppose the next best thing is a UK based website with a long returns policy?
Hopefully there will be a few at the Manchester show later this year. Otherwise on the Head-fi forum meets are arranged, but in the UK they have been in London.
I had this problem as well. As I remember there was no returns on headphones due to hygene reasons.
Yes I think a meet is the only option. Living within the boundaries of Greater London, it shouldn't be too difficult for me if they arrange one in London 
I'm having the same problem, I've asked several dealers in my area and get the same answer - "I can get them, but...". When I started looking I never expected it to be so hard to find headphones to audition.
I've just put this detail on another thread, so apologies to those who have read both. I'm going to Audio T in Manchester to listed to the Sennheisser HD800s. I don't know if this is too far for you to travel, but the HD800s have got to be worth the listen. I'll post my thoughts on here when I get the chance.
The same situation exists in Glasgow. Apart from The Apple Store with the B&W P5 and top end Bose there is nowhere with cans over £200, unless you order some in beforehand, but then there is pressure to buy which I do not like.
Internet - laptop - DAC - amp - lots of headphones.
http://idc1966.blogspot.co.uk/
"A music lover will stop what he's doing and stay glued to a favorite piece of music even if it's coming over a 3" speaker or a public-address system..." - Ken Rockwell