Need help choosing spkrs I've never heard

Ditto what the other guys are saying about auditioning. You must add Wilson Benesch Act to this list if it's within your budget. They are a piece of art and perform just the way you described above.

If you truly know yourself when it comes to your loudspeaker likes and dislikes, and if you know enough about loudspeaker design to recognize what you're looking for when you see it, then yes there's a good chance that you could make an excellent choice sight unseen.

Unfortunately if your speaker choice is going to be significantly swayed by the recommendations you get here on Audiogon, you probably aren't there yet. The majority vote doesn't settle anything, nor does the well-crafted prose of the most eloquent proponent of his or her favorite speaker.

All of which brings me around to saying the exact same thing my friend Brian said - embark on a pilgrimmage and seek out the answer. Four grand well spent will get you a lot farther than eight grand poorly spent. Drive or fly depending on what it takes, and have fun doing it!

You've owned some very nice systems. I'm quite familiar with the Betas and Genesis systems, and have heard the Revels and Legacys. My favorite among them is the Betas. Omigod that was a lovely, lovely loudspeaker! A beast to drive, but feed it well and it would sing for you.

My worthless recommendation? Of the speakers on your list, the Von Schweikerts will come the closest to emulating the Betas. Given your description of your connected townhouse situation and your stated sonic priorities pardon me if I put my dealer hat on and nominate the Gradient Revolution as another possibility (e-mail me if you'd like and I'll try to justify the nomination).

Best of luck in your quest,

Duke

I agree with the dont but without hearing. But they also can sound quite different with your own room and equipment. Here are two options. My dealer (about 6 hour round trip away)is willing to order and then I get to listen in his store prior to buying. If I like and buy, then he installs and gives a 30 day in home full cash refund if for any reason I do not like them with my home system.
The other option is to find speakers near you on your short list at a good used price, audition it in the seller's home, and then be able to resell easily if you dont like it in your system. This takes patience but patience sweetens passion.

Shame on me. I've bought my last two sets of speakers having never heard them. And had absoltely no buyers remorse. The set I have now I do not forsee them ever being sold.
You've chosen some highly regarded brands. There ARE reasons as to why they are highly regarded.
I now think one realitively viable method of judging a brand is by perusing such sites as Audiogon and noting which models are the hardest to come by used.

You never know how a speaker will REALLY sound until it's in your environment being powered by your equipment.

Your a lucky guy.I envy your situation.How boring life can be knowing the future.Pick one out of your hat,throw it away and choose one of the other 2.Unless its hurts to throw it.Then take that one.Let us know,this is fun,Bob