Would you buy speakers with out first listening ?

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

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 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.

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 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.