Would you buy speakers with out first listening ?

I am very close to doing this very thing...

after reading and reading...and reading, and emailing owhers of Eminent technology planar hybrids, I am quickly feeling more and more that these might be my speakers, also talking to Bruce there is a pleasure, still wish I could find Ohio or PA owners so I might impose for an audition, but im pretty close to taking the plunge.

Interesting that some of the speakers mentioned are of the work-horse variety, ie..give up a little to gain a lot. These are the types I tend to go with as my choices in speakers for the last couple of pairs.

My question came about after reading so many posts at many different forums (I surf a lot...retired old man) from people asking for speaker advice.

My last pair of small speakers was around 10 years ago (B&W's)...shipping small speakers is not a problem so I should have mentioned that...heck, if you don't like um, sell um.

150-250lb. types which I seem to have an audio fetish for was more in line to my thinking...

Newbee...point taken on the source. After selling my high-end SACD player almost a year ago...I'm still setting here listening to my old Technics Dvd-A10 as a cd source (not because it's GOOD)...can't seem to pull the trigger even though I know cd players are very easy to ship?

I see that you still have the BAT...I recall a post a good while back regarding moving on from that player?

Newbee, Whoops...It may have been CAL transport and cd player I'm thinking about?

Dave

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.