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Buying Without Audition

Surely I'm not the only one with the dilemma of living out in the boonies with no audio equipment dealer (other than Walmart) within 100+ miles.  How does one choose among the many speakers offered in any given price range without listening to them before buying?  The reviews are often skewed by self interest and, in any event, what you hear and what you like is completely subjective and the prosaic descriptions in the reviews mean different thing to different people.  After all, you really can't accurately describe in words what someone else might hear. The problem is compounded if you wish to buy "used" from a private party as there often is no right of return, and when there is, the cost of shipping both ways is a significant consideration, especially when looking for floor speakers.

Any educated suggestions?
larstusor
dentdog's avatar
dentdog
500 posts
 
Volsfan, I too spent a lot of time looking at Salk/Murphy speakers. The SS12's were out and looked promising but ran into production problems. Jim was very open and honest as far as the different lines' attributes. 
Ultimately, what did you decide on and what do you drive them with?
timlub
2,040 posts
 
Hi Larstusor,
    You're in a spot that plenty have been in...sometimes with the demand on family it is impossible to leave for a couple of days, so I understand that you can't go listen.... Your only other option is to shop and educate yourself as thoroughly as possible, then shop for values in used speakers so that you can re sell without getting burnt so bad.  Good luck,  Tim
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
definite road trip.
living in the middle of nowhere is cheap so driving must be far.
i'd research local craigslist adds or ebay listings within 100...200 miles around where you can actually drive-in and check-listen.


in_shore's avatar
in_shore
596 posts
 
Shame on me ,.I did this once spending $17,000.00 ,.!...

It was a turntable made popular by reviews at first then all sorts of praise and accolades here on Audiogon including other popular sites which in the end was nothing but a herd mentality promoting a mediocre over priced turntable for many that love it however can't hear ,....

zavato's avatar
zavato
1,405 posts
 
You got to hear speakers! the only speakers I ever bought without audition was a $50 a pair of speakers that I bought for a basement workout room. No matter what you've read, remember, think ice cream shop. Lots of different flavors. Not everyone likes the same flavor 
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