What speaker could safely be ordered without hearing it first?


Hi everyone,

I’m in the midst of my speaker search and curious about something.......as noted above. There are some brands I would be interested in based on reputation, reviews, looks etc but may never be able to hear first.

I’m curious what the collective group thinks would be a safe choice having never heard them first. I know there are variables as in size of room, current gear etc. Just want to see what people would suggest. The one I would note based on what I have read is Joseph Audio. I’d also be curious if people would say the same about Borresen.

So it may be a frivolous exercise but I’ll ask the question anyway. Let me know your thoughts.

128x128mtbiker29

I purchased my Theil 3.7s without hearing them first but had 2.4s prior so I was familiar with the sound.  Very happy with my decision.  Before I purchased the 2.4s I did some serious speaker shopping and listening however.  I was surprised at the differences between some of the reviews, what I expected to hear and some of what I heard.  Ideally, I would want to audition them in my listening room but there are a few brands that I would have confidence in like Wilson, Magico and Joseph Audio.  

+2 for the Dutch & Dutch 8C's. 

They are the most beguiling speakers I've ever heard. I purchased them without hearing them first and consider them to be my endgame speakers.  

These monitors throw a cardioid dispersion pattern, which help eliminate first wave reflections and have onboard DSP to balance out room modes. They go down to 17hz (-3Db) in my room and are incredibly detailed, minus the listen fatigue that usually accompanies high resolution presentations.  

If that weren't enough the designers are working on soon to be released integration with BACCH (cross talk cancellation software plug-in) that does what 3D glasses do for your eyes will do for your ears. This is truly revolutionary technology that once heard is near impossible to live without. 

I don't think it's a bad question, it's just an out of place question. In a professional studio you can buy speakers that are known in the industry and that have good polar patterns. In a home you usually don't start with a clean acoustic canvas so you have to at least understand the acoustics of your room first to qualify your guess about what speakers would sound good in the room. Big leaps in acoustic dispersion design of speakers in the last few years buy Magico, Wilson, Joseph and the like.