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

If safe is your goal in both performance and budget (and checking out your room) the latest generation of Mission 770 or Wharfedale Heritage line big baffles are well made MidFi all-rounders. I confess to being a fan of the Peter Comeau IAG designs. This company doesn’t get much play among golden ear audiophiles but the products they’re producing under the English brands they now own are selling very well worldwide for a reason. Wharfedale Heritage Lintons are amazingly musical at any volume.in my high current Mogami cabled system for less than $1.5k for the pair. Took about 100 hours of listening, some DAC tweaking and interconnect clean up but they have exceeded expectations.

The correct answer is "none".

Take Klipsch, Quad, Magnepan, & KEF - all with 50+ years longevity, loads of admirers here, radically different approaches, sounds, amplification needs, optimal room locations...

Or Infinity, Genesis, Thiel, Vandersteen, Linkwitz, Wilson - visionary creations of legendary designers with dramatically different & different sounding products.

There are many, many reputable speaker makers out there.  Your question is not frivolous, but the only "safe" general answer is to confine your choices to the speakers that you've already heard.

However, the more context you give, the more likely folks here can give you specific suggestions of speakers to track down & hear before deciding.

+1 petaluman. Never buy any hi fi product without listening to it first - preferably in one's own system.

The speakers you choose will have the single greatest impact on what your system sounds like. Last time I brought speakers for my main system, I drove 3.5 hours to listen first. Yes, your room will make a difference, yes, your other components will make a difference, but no single thing makes as much difference as your speakers. 

I'd strongly recommend that you do one of 2 things, choose to listen to what dealers around you have or take a trip. As others have said, there are many many excellent speakers on the market, there's probably something near you that will fit the bill, but I'd not, take a trip with your wife. Go to a city with multiple stores. Take her out for a nice dinner and listen to some speakers.