Would you buy speakers with out first listening ?


I've never owned a pair of speakers that I have not listened to before hand...do you guys trust and buy on opinion? If so, have you experienced any great "let down".

Dave
sogood51
SoGood51... I blew through this string pretty quickly, but I thought I heard you say your leaning towards a "big" speaker. I bought my Silverline Sonata II's sight unseen (used @ $2750 delivered) and could not be happier. There is a pair of Sonata I's that just got listed for $2250... you may want to consider them... beautiful cabinets, very efficient, and great sound. I also hear unanimous support for Montana speakers and Green Mountain.
I bought my first used speakers on Audiogon after always buying new. I never expected to buy without auditioning the speakers first. It was a fairly expensive purchase. It did not work out. While the speakers are I'm sure excellent, they weren't in my setup. Synergy of amp and speakers is critical and sometimes elusive. I did my research extensively, emailed owners etc. I had to sell them on Audiogon and take a loss. Now I've got new speakers on the way. Bought the top of the line from a speaker I owned before. I know what to expect from these speakers. If you don't mind the risk and are willing to face re-sale on Audiogon, then buy without listening. But with big speakers of 150 lbs or more, I doubt I'd do it again.
based on experience: never again.

bought merlin VSM-Ms and soundlab U2s w/o hearing them first. never warmed up to either, despite their reputations and proponents.

heard my current WP6s years before i bought them. buying them was the best purchase i've made (tied w/ a kenwood KT8300 tuner for $60 and a Wavac SET for $2k)
Bought Spendor S5e's without listening. Match perfectly to my Naim system as everyone had indicated they would. Couldn't be happier.