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Do You Buy Speakers Without Hearing Them?

In the 'good old days' there were a lot of hifi stores around so there was plenty of opportunity to go in and listen to various brands and models of speakers.  With the continuing disappearance of audio shops, I'm wondering if more people are making the leap to buy speakers they've never heard in person, or just limiting their purchase options to the brands they can hear locally?  If you are buying a speaker that you haven't heard, how do you get comfortable with that?  Magazine reviews?  YouTube demos?  

I've mostly heard any speaker I ended up buying, but in two cases I bought speakers that weren't available in my area.  I made my decision based on reviews.  In one case the speaker was really nice, but in the second case, the speaker was well-reviewed but ended up being disappointing.

Appreciate your thoughts.

 

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mbennes's avatar
mbennes
87 posts
 

Purchased my first pair of speakers, AR 2ax back in 1967. Living in rural Minnesota  my purchase from Defa Electroinics in New York arrived va the rail road.  

Now I’m 72 and I again purchased a pair of speakers without an audition., Monitor Audio Platinum 200 3g.  Both were truly satisfying musically.  No complaints whatso ever….

gjohns
89 posts
 

I traveled to next state and bought a pair of W Sabrina speakers from original owner. He did demo for me but they were not set up properly in his home theater room. His price made it possible to scratch the surface of audiophile quality.  Love them.

OHappy listening.

rstanley46
4 posts
 

My last two purchases were sight unseen (actually, sound unheard).  One was Buchardt Audio S400 and the other was Graham Chartwell LS6.  It's not possible to audition the Burchardts and the Grahams are hard to find.  I based both purchases on online, print and YouTube reviews.  No regrets for either purchase,

kennyc
1,472 posts
 

Do You Buy Speakers Without Hearing Them?

Generally no but 2 exceptions:

  • Klipsch rp600m - inexpensive+favorable reviews
  • Volti Rival - heard the next model down RAZZ twice at audio shows so purchased the larger speaker expecting similar but better sonics
ryder
1,689 posts
 

If I have the opportunity to hear them, yes. Ortherwise, no. My last two purchases were based on reviews on forums. Marten Duke 2 and Graham LS5/9.

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