How to audition used speakers???

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm planning on using these speakers for a second system (in my dorm). I will reuse an Onkyo receiver which has an output of only 40 WPC (into 8 ohms, I believe). Since the output of the receiver is small, I'm thinking about some older Klipsch speakers. As a rule, I prefer floorstanders; I feel that you don't need a subwoofer if you have a good pair of floorstanders.

I have a pair of Ohms in my regular system that I bought largely because I got a good deal; I didn't audition anything else. Although I LOVE the Ohms, I want to explore my choices a little more than I did with them. My budget is $250 since this is just for a little room.

"Isn't buying speakers this way as good as rolling a die?"

Yes. Find a good dealer and work with him, unless you like rolling dice.

I've thought this way Goatwuss, but I can only listen to a small number of brands by going to a dealer. Even if I go to three different dealers, I may only be exposed to a few speakers. What if I'm curious about vintage speakers or speakers that only have one American dealer? For example, there are no Mangepan dealers near me (as far as I know). I'm not sure what to do in this example.

"Since the output of the receiver is small,..... I feel that you don't need a subwoofer if you have a good pair of floorstanders. "

A sub takes the power away from the main amp, and of the amp is small as you say, then all the more reason you need a sub.

Note that many, or most floorstanders don't have an appreciable output where the sub would be in any case.

I bought a pair of bi-wired KEF Reference 104/2s based solely on reputation and reviews. I recognized the shipping address as very high-end Manhatten, but still I suppose it was a gamble. I love the speakers and have never regretted that gamble. If at some point the 104/2s become unrepairable, I'll look for a pair of Sophias or Sophia-2s. So I'd say buying used speakers entails some risk, but a worthwhile risk. I'm not as cavalier about selling and shipping as some who have posted on this thread, but then I've only been a buyer.

db