Would you buy speakers with out first listening ?

Dave, I've had the BAT for about 7 years and other than getting the transport/laser overhauled at year 5, its been an excellent unit mechanically. As with all things which have tubes, tube selection makes a difference. I've never bought into the upgrades. Too much money for my ears. It throws a huge soundstage and is very detailed, without being at all bright or rolled off. The only thing I have ever found lacking in it, and this is a minor nit, probably more about me that the unit, is that I still prefer my old Cal Alpha DAC for vocal and instrumental sound. A bit more mid-range emphasis which I find pleasant (and a bit more forward in prospective - not in tone). I keep thinking I aught to upgrade, but then I read all of the reviews and user comments about whats available and go back to listening to music on the old stuff. If you can get a newer BAT, or an older one which has had the laser overhauled, they sure are priced right in comparison to the other stuff I'm seeing on the 'Gon.

Whatever you buy unheard will sound good. You have to justify it, and most modern speakers sound at least 'good', with a wink and a nod to Julian Hirsch. Sure, there's crap out there, but as most of us have surfed, web research generally yields satisfactory results, or better.

I Have listened to speakers ['sight seen'] that were quickly dismissed. I've since learned not to judge too quickly, although this demo was easily won by Snell [vs/ Paradigms]. It did surprise me as most speakers of Canadian origin are excellent, and I've owned Energys and PSBs which pleased me no end. Chacon son gout [To each his own]!

I have three times, and was amd am happy each time. Pair one my girlfriend made me get rid of for decor reasons, pair two weren't suitable foe new amps I got, and pair three continues to live happily with me to this day. That's the great thing about buying used, if you're smart it's tough to get burned.

After careful research, I purchased my Green Mountain Audio Europas without the benefit of an audition. Unfortunately, GMA is not represented in upstate NY.
Due to this fact, I called GMA directly. When I called GMA, Roy, himself, answered the phone.
The owner and chief designer of a company picks up the phone and speaks to the customer directly. Pretty rare I would say. Much to my delight, I had a wonderful conversation with him. Convinced I was in good hands, I ordered a pair of Europas on the spot. I did have to wait due to a back log of orders ahead of me, but that was fine with me.
Boy, oh boy, was the wait worth it!

I'd also like to make a comment on the customer service I received after the sale. As I was breaking
the speakers in I detected a hissing sound coming
from one the speakers. I called Roy to ask for advice.
He told me to send the speakers back, on his dime, and he'd personally oversee the trouble shooting process, himself. I also told him that I had accidentally
managed to scratch the bottom of one of the speakers.
No problem, he'd have the area repainted at no charge. Thank you Roy and everyone at GMA! Anyway, it turns out, they could detect nothing wrong with the speaker.
Oddly enough, the sound disappeared. The speakers were sent back to me and I have'nt had a problem since.

I just would like to say that everyone at GMA are top-notch. They really go all out for their customers. Something, which is quite rare these days. Bravo.

While I am one of the biggest advocates of auditioning a loudspeaker there is, if the right pair of Apogees came up for sale, I think I'd buy them sound unheard (going on the recommendation of people I REALLY trust).