Need help choosing spkrs I've never heard

I have certainly bought on the basis of advice and reviews, sans audition, I am not proud of it. However, that was cables and a power amp, not speakers. The advice given seems excellent. I STRONGLY support buying 2nd hand, you can view it as an unlimited home audition and sell on at minimal loss. I would also advocate one of the big shows, CES if you can stand Las Vegas, or Rocky Mountain, for some mountain air. I am sure most if not all your choices will be there. Again the caveat that you don't listen in a hotel room at home.

Buying speakers is such a personal choice I would NEVER buy one based only on reviews. For instance, many people praise how good sounding Martin Logan or Magneplanar speakers are. I have heard both and I didn´t like the sound at all (electrostatic speakers aren´t my juice) and even between dinamic speakers, some one would apreciate the sound of X speaker and some one could hate it. Don´t waste your money.

I agree with everyone else on hearing before buying, but I have bought without hearing and I was 1 for 2. Out of the speakers you listed I have heard the Aerials and Paradigms (side by side) and the Paradigms I perferred the Aerials at lower levels. The Paradigms had much more output without strain, but considering you're in a townhouse you probably don't need high SPLs.

Triller - What did you end up doing?

To all of you who took the time to input, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL AND HEARTFELT COMMENTS. After reading all your suggestions and searching out every review and mention of the speakers in question, I also talked to the dealer fm whom I purchased my Focus 20/20s. Since I have a Steridian bass integration unit, he suggested I use it to lower the bass attenuation to the point of a reasonable compromise between audible satisfaction and a level that won't alienate my neighbors. In other words, at LEAST try the Focus in my new environment. Also, I've had contractors filling in a wide opening to the dining area right at the left rear corner of my listening room so now instead of a gaping opening (and no corner wall), I have a corner and smaller portal to the kitchen. This will help balance the L-R output of the Focus with the rear firing woofer. Also, while the speakers I was considering were all shorter in height or narrower in width - there were very deep; the Focus on the other hand, are surprising shallow front-to-back so it seemed like I was trading off one dimension for another, and honestly, taller works better than depth in my room. (Shows that for full range you have to have volume - one way or the other.)

My first use of the forum was a very positive experience and I will certainly post regular updates to keep you all apprised of what I finally decide. I am truly astounded the Focus 20/20s are as good as they are for the money and I like them over a lot I've heard at much higher $. But of all my speakers, the Betas on tubes were the closest I've gottent to sonic nervana. I sold them because of concerns for long-term support. And felt remorse before the truck was out of the driveway. Then came the Salons followed by the Genesis 201. Both awesome, incredible transducers, but they just didn't have the same magic as the Beta's - truly one of the high end's legenday classics!

Good listening, Triller