Judging speakers to purchase.

That I don’t feel like I’m listening to speakers at all. 

I want to hear the drops of sweat hit the floor as Jascha Heifetz barrels through the Tchaikovsky violin concerto!

It’s a given that speakers have to play well in your room, especially in the sub-200 hz range to have any chance of sounding like music. But for me, having see-thru clarity and stellar phase coherency is huge, then they can pass along what they’re fed with minimal coloration and veiling. A great soundstage is a must, but is usually present if the clarity and phase coherency are good (dispersion is factor here too). That level of clarity also tends to bring excellent micro dynamics. Yep...superior clarity is up there on my wish list, but it also makes them revealing of the rest of the system, which can set you up well for the rest of the journey.

I want to be able to just relax and enjoy the music and not think about the reproduction at all. My speakers give me that.

Has to sound musical with finesse. Not looking at specs with perfection.