Do You Buy Speakers Without Hearing Them?

Good speakers can be quite expensive. If I hope to keep them long term, I’d definitely want to listen to them first, or ensure there’s a 100% return option. Speakers are so subjective and personal, and they behave differently in different rooms and systems....each case is unique, so I’d want to listen to see if they’re going to work for me.

I've done both, but if I've never heard them, I only buy with full free refund privileges...

My favorite speaker of all time was bought without a demo BUT it was based on much feedback that in one case included a common denominator (Magnepan 1.7) that we both had owned and which served as a reference point.  The new speaker exceeded expectations.  

Another case was based on one very enthusiastic professional review.  That speaker I never learned to love.

So with the right type of feedback (and a return policy) I would not be fearful at all.  Gone are the days of showrooms packed with speakers.  Honestly, that isn't the proper way to evaluate a speaker anyway.

After research ... would buy wo audition!  

It depends. Even if you audition a loudspeaker you can not be sure of what you will get at home in your room. If you have a dealer that will let you audition at home that is a huge plus but rare now a days. I usually by based an design and reputation. But my interest in loudspeakers is limited to dipole line arrays, principally ESLs. My choices are limited. If you know what format you want, tower vs bookshelf, efficiency you need to get the volume you want,  know your amp will drive them correctly and have a set price you can go by reputation. An example would be you want a highly efficient loudspeaker as you have a 60 watt/ch tube and you like rock at realistic levels and size is not an issue. The Klipsch Heritage series very well made and supported. The Cornwall is the speaker for you. I like 8 foot tall dipole ESLs. I have only one choice Soundlabs and I got exactly what I wanted without hearing them in person first.