I have been disappointed, updating from B&W 802, series III to B&W N804. It has taught me never to buy speakers that I do not hear first. It was my third set of B&Ws so I didn't think it would be a problem.
Room issues and associated components make such a difference to getting the best fit. How will you know if you are getting the speaker that brings all this synergy together. I replaced the N804 last year with ATC 20-2s. I demoed over 10 speakers, and was also able to hear the finalist in my home.
In comparison with other components, it was a time consumming and difficult experience. I did, however, learn a lot in the process of what I really wanted as well as know I that I didn't compromise. This method takes a lot more time & costs more money (no used deals). To me it was fair price to make sure I got he sound I wanted. |
tough call...
you can get a general impression by here and audio review...but will have no idea how they will interact with you room and gear... |
I started out years ago listening and buying at the dealers place. At that place and time I was not smart enough at to realize they had better stuff driving them.--So I was always disappointed.---Since then I have bought from reading the review.---Even tho I could have listened at the store where I was buying; I thought it a waste of time.So since about 1990 I have bought without hearing first. I have always been happy with what I bought; sight--unheard. If this were a poll,my answer to the question: YES. |
I've bought my last three speakers without hearing them--and haven't been disappointed yet. I have a close relationship with my dealer, and we both have similar listening preferences, so that's a BIG plus. Always buy from a dealer you can trust--and who respects you not only as a customer but as a human being. I've dealt with a lot of shitty/shady audio dealers in my time, and, believe me, once you establish a relationship with one you trust, it's like a breath of fresh spring air.
Ironically enough, my most disappointing speaker-buying experiences have happened when I auditioned them in the store. To a speaker, not ONE sounded as good in my home as when I heard it in the showroom. |
I have now bought 4 pairs of speakers and a sub through mail order without listening to them first, and none have let me down compared to the speakers I auditioned in their respective price ranges through B&M stores.
I agree that if you *can* audition speakers before paying any money for them, then that is best... I am a calculated risk taker, however, and I think that in most cases, ordering speakers built to order direct over the net with a 21-30 day money back guarantee home trial (with the potential to get much better bang for the buck than buying through brick and morter stores) makes a lot of sense... especially when the return costs are minimal.
---Dave |
All the time. Probably a dozen or more pairs.
If you don't like them, move them on. That's why we love Audiogon. |
I live in a smaller city and had just brought home a pair of the new B&W 805S to demo. I had listened to them for 8 hours and was ready to buy the next day. I happened to look on Audiogon that same day and saw an incredible deal on Focus Audio FS688 that were not even broken in. I had not heard them (but had read and done much research) and bought them immediately. This may sound cheesy, but I really felt bad telling the dealer here what I had done. They're great people and I know a lot of retailers are being hurt by internet sales.. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and it was to good a deal to pass up. I was lucky.. these speakers are the nicest monitors I have heard and far exceeded my expectations. |
After reading reviews for 6 years, I bought a pair of nOrh speakers without hearing them. They're more placement senstive in my room than some others claimed, but I'm quite happy with them. |
Cool Pete..I'll be ready. I will bring the Clari T Amp up for an audition as well. I've been told it's a match made in heaven! We shall see.
I agree with ya Pete..the only way to truly know what sound your looking for, is to listen to as much gear as possible in your own home.
It can cost you but it sure is fun to do.
Good Listening! |
Personally, I feel that purchasing speakers, or any component without listening to it is asking for disappointment. You may be lucky, as some of those above have testified, but you are quite likely to be unlucky at some point.
Years ago, I was a campus representative for an audio equipment dealer that had people selling out of a catalog. It didn't take me long to have a few dissatisfied customers, despite their having purchased good equipment, because the sound didn't satisfy their expectations. I discovered that stocking a few representative pieces from my major lines, and letting potential customers audition various systems at my apartment effectively dealt with this situation.
Since an audio system strongly reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of its owner, its difficult to achieve satisfaction by buying audio equipment as you would a dishwasher. While expert opinion can be helpful in winnowing through a huge marketplace full of stuff to assemble a short list of candidates, only your opinion is going to matter when everything comes together.
If you have no local access to the audio marketplace, I would strongly urge you to establish a relationship with the manufacturers and dealers that have an at-home audition policy. You can order the equipment through the mail, audition it at home, and in that manner decide if the component(s) is suitable. These establishments will allow you to return the component for a refund if it is not suitable. |
I've bought over twenty pair of speakers over the net without listening to them and have only been burned thrice. I'll go ahaead and name them...Newform Research R630, Adire Audio HE 10.1, and some Rocket moitors. The Newforms were in a hard room but sounded very bright and probably would always sound thin. Sold after two months. The HE 10.1 sounded dull as can be, not even close to the EFE T-22 they replaced. I returned them for full refund. the Rockets were truly horrible. Super bright.
I've also had great success buying sight unseen. Maggie MMG's, Audiovecter M-1 Supers(awesome), ACI Emeralds, BG Radia 520 DX, Reynaud Twins, EFE T-22, and Green Mountain Europa's.
As far as I'm concerned the best part of this hobby is getting new stuff in the mail. The excitment factor makes it all worthwhile. You can always sell it on Agon for a slight loss. It's worth the hit.
Gymane, the speakers should be in in a month. I've got the Crown on ice! See you then.(<:
Pete
|
Dave, I've been let down. The good news is that it was a relatively inexpensive pair of monitors I purchased for my daughter. She was off to college and I didn't have time to listen locally. The JM Labs were pretty good, but not up to the hype. Since everything is systems dependent, I'm certainly not ruling that out. From now on, I will always try before I buy. So much, to quote Thedautch, "depends on the ear and the gear." IMHO, reviews simply can't pick that up. |
Hummm, I'm a little suprised so far that no one has been "let down" to any degree, I am thinking that the discription we use at these forums in regards to sound, ie...dark, bright, laid-back, forward...ect...must be a fairly good meter that one can almost depend on?
I'm not looking to change speakers...was just wondering how many people bought without ever hearing what I have always thought to be the building block of any system.
Dave |
I did just purchase some Omega Grande 6's for my SET amp on recommendations from fellow 'Goners. They also told me about the breakin time :( But I do appreciate the input. Have not received them yet............... |
I purchased several speakers without auditioning them and have only been disatisfied once. Believe it or not it was a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Signatures. Although they sound fine, they were way to big for my room. Actually like Gmood1, the speakers I was most unhappy with, after living with them for a while, were Thiel 1.5s.
Research is key when buying sight and sound unseen and unheard. |
Come on Joey :-)..Montgomery isn't that bad. ATL and Birmingham are not too far up the road. Your more than welcome to stop by and get your mind blowed since we are distant neighbors.
I've bought speakers without listening a couple of times.
Never been let down..actually I was more let down by the ones I auditioned and then brought home.LOL
I'm waiting on PeteWhitley to get his Bob Brines speakers so I can raid his house! |
I've only heard one of the four pairs of speakers that have bought in the past. I have liked every one of my purchases, with no regrets. After time, you kind of develop a knack for reading "between the lines" of reviews and feedback, whether professional or not, to determine if certain speakers will work for you. |
Twice, and happy both times. Some types are not available in stores.
This can save you a lot of money. If it's a mail-order deal, make sure you know whether crating/shipping is covered your way. My last pair had these included and the total out if I didn't like them would have been $80.
I know another guy that was out almost $300 when he had to ship his back. |
Where I live, there is no way but to buy speakers without listening to them. There are not really any hi-end dealers here in Montgomery, AL.
BTW, is there is anyone else who dislikes the city/town they live in? I can't stand this town, but can't move. |
I've purchased four different speakers without first listening to them -- all four were excellent, only sold them to try new and different speakers / system configurations.
I would recommend a good amount of research before you purchase speakers. |
I've bought two pairs w/out listening first but I did a huge amount of research first. Both have proven to be excellent, though sonically different, speakers. Neither had a lot of raves from the crowd and both were by small makers. Probably just lucky. :-) |
