the big one: how do you choose speakers? By what features, data?

@recklesskelly

"expert" - anyone who knows more than me. Practically ANYONE on this forum.

I have to start somewhere, what’s easier than browsing the web and compare prices, sizes, sensitivity, design, etc.

But of course, primarily: looking at pictures.

@mijostyn 

The reason modern enclosed loudspeakers like Wilsons and Magicos are so expensive is that in order to make that kind of speaker work well you have to make perfectly silent enclosures and very complicated crossovers aside from using great drivers. 

this is the kind of info I am looking for: what should I be looking for. I am good with data, numbers, detective work/analysis. I know if a speaker is made in Zurich and in the shape of a cubist sculpture, it will be expensive. It won't necessarily translate to good sound. If it's a box, made in Provo, UT, it might be good value....

@kokakolia 

I have heard a lot of Klipsch speakers, tried them at home, I was never impressed. Of course I never heard the real deal, the Heritage stuff, which may be awesome, as I have read.

First I ask if the speaker under consideration has a sensitivity well above 100dB/2.83V/1m.  If so then I ask if it is fully horn loaded including the deep bass well down into the low twenties.  If so then I ask how it is better than my present DIY triamplified horn system.

After living with good horns for the last eighteen years I can't imagine even considering direct radiator speakers,

start with budget. best thing used within that budget. then i find discussion about "best speakers under ..." and "best vintage speakers under" i see what comes up. i exhaust all such discussions on AK,  paying close attention to folks whove owned and heard everything, those with the most experience in the neck of the woods im wandering.

then i head over to steve hoffman. i also look everything up on hifi shark and hifi engine. i find listings and ask why are you selling? i look at what theyre upgrading to. something totally different in the same price range? something similar but much better performance but costs less? downsizing? something 3x as expensive? my list narrows. i talk to friends like david halford at halford loudspeakers. i narrow it down some more and choose by driving distance. 

coupla years ago had my heard set on JBL L112. none within driving distance. eventually some L150 within driving distance popped up. L112 are $1200 speakers, and L150 are $1500 speakers.  i was prepared to pay $1200 for mint L112. but there were imperfections and minor damage, making these $1200 speakers. seller was very compliant about showing me drivers and imperfections. we met somewhere i could demo them. paid and drove em with me to get a marantz. 

i no longer want the L112. i think theyre beautiful, really cool-looking, but ive learned that im happier with what i have than with my first choice, but its a win-win situation either way. if theres 3 things id be happy with one of em is probably easier to get my hands on than the other two. i go home with what i want either way. 

i do the same thing with all components. my master "interested/curious" list of tube phono amps was 2 pages of cramped writing, my ss list a half page. decidd my endgame was tavish adagio. that took a while, not just becuse of expense but  because  people werent selling their tavish adagio. after a good wait, i bought it during a recent wave of upgradeitis. 
 

im near my endgame system, like...really near. i have only more thing i want to buy --van alstine fet valve 600r--and then i start modding and building salvage. im thrilled. cant wait.