What speaker could safely be ordered without hearing it first?

So it may be a frivolous exercise but I’ll ask the question anyway.

op

you are right, it isn't a frivolous exercise, but it is a goofy question

you can order any speaker (or any component) unheard, you just take the risk that you may not like what it does, then have to dispose of it, at a cost of money and effort

this is what the used gear market is all about - you buy what interests you, see if you like it, then resell at a reasonable price if you don’t

I’m going to be a bit of a contrarian...

As long as you stay within the same design family, and you’re not too obsessive about the various shades of goodness, and the speakers are generally well-known and discussed, I think it’s a pretty low-risk endeavor. Oh, and you don’t have unrealistic expectations based on a price point. That’s a biggie.

Given your current setup, would I purchase a set of Magnepans, or Martin Logans, or even a set of monitors without listening? Probably not. A set of 2 1/2 way or 3-way floor standers with a dome tweeter and cone mid-range / woofers? Sure.

If you purchase used, it’s even a lower-risk endeavor (from a monetary perspective). I highly doubt the OP is considering $100k speakers. Audio shows may be the best way to look at equipment, but it’s probably the worst way to listen to equipment.

How about this:

(a) read reviews and forum posts to try to get a ballpark idea

(b) search for top candidates used; places like the The Music Room have slightly higher prices but also a two-week trial period.

(c) If you don't like them after a time, re-sell for closer to what you would have paid retail.

I hear ya. The speakers I am interested in will weigh 500lbs total in the flight cases and I would need to take them down a flight of stairs.

If, the dealer would accept returns, (questionable) I would have to bring them back up the flight of stairs. (gulp) I am 70 with a bad knee... and a lazy son-in-law.

I think I am talking myself out of this endeavor.

ozzy

@stuartk - I dunno - some folks, like me, wouldn't want to deal with returning big floorstanding speakers, returns or no returns.. 

"looking at the upstairs system, this question is more for my downstairs."

Yes, now I see. Didn't display 1 look.

I'd fine tune room 1st.

Those little black thingies probably aren't doing anything.

 Side walls/ceiling  could be addressed for diffusion/damping issues  and as mentioned-loose the table.

Multiple subs needed for real low end performance.

All that for serious audiophool fun.

If you're gonna drop some serious cash with only reading reviews/forums, then buy from ae legit stablisment with a return policy, and don't complain about a restock/shipping charges.

None that I'd buy as my main speakers without hearing them first.

@mtbiker29 

I ask because this must be close to first reflection point off the floor and if so, it should have an impact on the sound presentation.

ghprentice gave you the best and frankly, the only advice to be acted upon.

Unless you have had broad exposure to speakers and know the house sound of a good number of brands and read professional reviews extensively, then while you may be happy with your choice it is likely to be very sub optimal. Even if you’re comparing $50K speakers. Sure they will all sound good to you without anything to compare them to.

The best thing to do is to make a trip to a big city part of the process. I have normally lived 2 - 3 hours from a big city. A long but doable trip in one day. If further, do a weekend trip. Do your research first… the you best guess narrowing down to a few brands. Make appointments to listen. Each company has house sounds, so you need not listen to the exact model. Listen to the music not the speaker. Hopefully one speaker company will emotionally grab you. That’s the one.

Thanks everyone.  

@erik_squires @tablejockey you guys are looking at the upstairs system, this question is more for my downstairs.  

@vonhelmholtz interesting question.  Haven't tried without but can tell you I've consciously ruled out some speakers where the drivers are on the floor, so to speak vs. ones that have them elevated above the line of the table.  

@stuartk I'm totally with you, and can't say i'm really even entertaining this.  In the sports car world some guys just blindly gamble on a $250K car and have it delivered.  I'm much too picky in re: condition.  

Everyone else I get that it's dependent on room, synergy etc as I already stated.  What i'm hoping bubbles to the top is a few names or models that I should target auditioning, that are just that good that the collective here would nearly unanimously agree.  @soix @markalarsen thanks for the feedback.  

Joseph Audio

Magico

YG Acoustics

Yamaha NS-5000

go to a consumer electronics show

@larsman 

Auditioning speakers is often not an option for a lot of people,

You mean: a lot of people are not willing to limit their choices to what can be purchased with a return policy, right?   

@mtbiker29 

Just curious, how does that large beautiful coffee table change the soundstage?

Auditioning speakers is often not an option for a lot of people, hence their dependence on reviews. But unless you can hear them in your room in your system, it's always going to be a bit of a gamble....Something might sound great at a dealer and not so great in your environment.

I have the same problem. I am interested in some speakers that weigh 230lbs each, cost a lot (to me) and there are very few (1-2 dealers within the USA). There is no way to audition them at home. I may be able to audition them in a few months when the importer gets more, but I would have to take an expensive plane trip and there will be a $10,00 price increase looming if I wait.

Yikes!

ozzy

I think this is a relevant thread since reputable dealers are disappearing and fewer and fewer of us have access to good dealers/equipment within a reasonable distance.  There are speakers that walk that fine line between detail and musicality that I call “straight down the fairway” speakers that are probably pretty safe bets buying blind if you have to go that route.  Joseph Audio is one that the OP mentioned, and I’ll add ProAc and Usher.  Hard to see anyone being unhappy with any of these wonderful all-around speakers. 

@stuartk

+1 …. Big time.

This wistful fast ‘n dirty blind shortcut approach to select your speakers is a fast roadmap to falling into component flipping purgatory. Synergy (or lack of it ….) matters …, full stop.

More so, your added qualifier of “safely” in the context of a blind purchase renders any meaningful response from the forum public impossible .

note: Enthusiasts can fall into the trap of ignoring key principles.

example: 

Audio - amps and source vs speakers 

The philosophy is clear. An affordable speaker with decent amplification (and source) makes more sense than an expensive speaker with a cheap amp (and source) 

(hint: this is a journey and not a destination.) There is no substitute or shortcut for rolling up your sleeves, and conducting personal auditions and including some key advice from a dealer.

choose wisely.

Kind of really depends on what you like and want.  It looks like you have a low-power amplifier.  Do you want to play softrly to medium or get loud?

For the former, Monitor Audio and Fritz are good bets, for the latter perhaps Klipsch Heresy's.

Based on your profile pic, a whole lot of speakers are out if putting them against the wall is the only option.

Thread title is hard to resist...

How "safe" do you want to be?

Personally, I'd never buy any speaker I couldn’t first audition in my room.

Your money. 

Your ears. 

This is just too open-ended.

Here goes: $100k Rockport.