Buying Speakers You Have Not Heard

[Exit]

The thread on The Speaker Company got really long and off track with some ranting going on. I think the essential question is how do you buy a speaker you have never heard.

I think the answer for most of us is that we look at multiple reviews with technical performance measurements and listening test opinions as well as discussions on the forum to get a mental image of what a speaker can do. We rely on others who have seen and tested the speaker to be our eyes and ears and to put the speaker in perspective with competing products. This reduces our risk of making a poor purchase decision.

The question now becomes what do you do when there is no data for a new product or company. Some may take a chance on an unknown commodity but most of us read Audioholics reviews and participate on the forums because we don’t like to take a risk on the unknown and we want to be informed to get the best value for our dollars.

I think the best thing to tell someone who wants to try the unknown is that your risk of disappointment is greater than if you go with a known commodity, but there is also a chance you could get a good deal and be pleasantly surprised too. Its up to the potential buyer to judge the risk/benefits of purchasing the unknown. You pull the handle on the slot machine and hope it doesn’t come up all lemons.

 

[Alex2507]

Buying speakers that I haven't heard is no problem. Buying speakers that nobody has heard is a problem. Buying speakers that haven't been submitted for review to somebody who can test them is a no go.

 

[100r1]

Speakers I never heard before buying..........

Kind of like mail order bride.

 

[chadnliz]

Buying a speaker you never heard is as stupid as un-protected sex, why would you risk it? It doesnt matter how any speaker is reviewed, or how many own them or how many say to buy them, speakers are a very personal choice and must be auditioned.

 

[mike c]

Speakers I never heard before buying..........

Kind of like mail order bride.

Buying a speaker you never heard is as stupid as un-protected sex, why would you risk it? It doesnt matter how any speaker is reviewed, or how many own them or how many say to buy them, speakers are a very personal choice and must be auditioned.

wow, everything about sex!

 

[emorphien]

Buying speakers I've never heard is OK, as long as I have an easy means of returning them which many ID companies offer.

 

[Thaedium]

Not really sure what to say, you've answered your own question really. I think it goes without saying here no one will endorse an unknown until its been proven. Committing on a set of speakers no one has heard of isn't something the average consumer should do. Especially not a consumer who has very little experience with speakers and is just getting into the market. There is a vast amount of knowledge to be had on a web forum such as this, and there are any number of reputable companies that offer entry level products at low prices. As a first time buyer, and as an enthusiast just getting into the audio world that person should not commit to an unknown product, they should go the safe route and purchase and listen to recommended products first. Leave the proofing of an unknown product to peoples whose job or hobby it is to review and test knew products. If the unknown company can prove itselves to these types, then they can most assuredly rely on word of mouth, and forums such as these to generate interest and advertisement for them.

 

[mike c]

for some reason, everytime I read the the thread title, at first glance, I see "Britney Spears You Have Not Heard"

 

[Exit]

This thread is short, to the point, and could help the guy who was looking at The Speaker Store speakers.

With internet direct sales being a significant factor, there are many excellent speakers and subwoofers which we do not have the opportunity to hear before purchase, and you make your decision to purchase them based on reviews and forum discussions or friends. Thus as pointed out in this thread, you need to be sure you have the opportunity to return them within a 30 day trial period.

I recently went shopping for a subwoofer. My ventures into traditional retail stores left me with the impression that there are either mediocre mass market products or expensive high end products. The mass market products in big box stores are usually not playable or the setup is not very good for demonstration. The small independent stores I went to were loaded with expensive high-end products out of my price range. I went internet direct at a good price based on reviews and forum discussions and I don’t regret the decision. I did have about six reviews of the product and numerous positive comments in the forums, and I studied the product for about two years before buying. I think the reviews and forums were more useful and dependable than what I could determine myself listening in the stores. All of this is in support of purchasing a known product versus an unknown product.

 

[Alex2507]

Buying a speaker you never heard is as stupid as un-protected sex, why would you risk it?

Cause it feels good.

 

[slappycakes]

I bought the Axiom Epic 80 without ever hearing them...and love the sound. However I read quite a bit before I bought them though. I don't think I would ever buy unless I read something about the product first.

 

[Soundman]

This is why ID are a good value. You can try them out in your own home risk free. We all know listening in some fancy showroom is nothing like listening to them in your own home. If you like them, then keep them. If not, send them back.

 

[mperfct]

Cause it feels good.

LOLZ!!!

I bought my RBH SI760's without hearing them, although I heard a lot of different in-walls. The Atlantic Tech THX system was pretty nice, but I'd heard so many good things about the RBH I figured I couldn't go wrong. They are flat out amazing. I couldn't be happier.

 

[mazersteven]

Buying a speaker you never heard is as stupid as un-protected sex, why would you risk it?

IMO this is a stupid comment.

I have auditioned some really awesome speakers from ID companies that I would never have had the pleasure of doing so if I listened to a comments like this.

 

[gus6464]

IMO this is a stupid comment.

I have auditioned some really awesome speakers from ID companies that I would never have had the pleasure of doing so if I listened to a comments like this.

So what happens when you order a pair of towers to audition and pay over $100 to ship them to your house. Then upon hearing you decide it's not your thing and send them back spending another $100+. If you are on a budget that's over $200 right there that has been wasted which could have gone toward speakers or electronics. The whole situation is like dealing with a double edged sword.

And while before anyone says that they could order the smaller stuff for risk free audition that isn't exactly the same thing as hearing the actual speakers you want to buy.

 

[Sheep]

Buying a speaker you never heard is as stupid as un-protected sex, why would you risk it? It doesnt matter how any speaker is reviewed, or how many own them or how many say to buy them, speakers are a very personal choice and must be auditioned.

Generally you can give the STD back with return policies. Slap on the ***, mushroom tat etc etc

SheepStar

 

[fmw]

I see no point in "auditioning" speakers at all unless I can do so in my own listening room. Speakers are slaves to room acoustics. They can't possibly sound the same in your room as they do in the dealer's room. Why do you think people want speakers to "break in" so fervently.

I buy speakers based on specifications. If there aren't reliable specs available then I don't buy them. In this case, you are looking at cheap Chinese made speakers. Logic would tell you that your level of expectation should be low.

 

[davidtwotrees]

I purchased my Canton L800DC's unheard. I did a lot of research and read reviews. I had some reviews in other languges read by my international friends. I know a guy in the Netherlands that was in Amsterdam and listened to a pair. He said they were amazing. The guy at Acc4Less.Com said I would not be disappointed. The shipping was over $100, as they are 90+ pounds each. This model was two years old. The price was 40% of retail. They are the finest audio purchase I have ever made. All for speakers I had never heard............

 

[3db]

I purchased my Canton L800DC's unheard. I did a lot of research and read reviews. I had some reviews in other languges read by my international friends. I know a guy in the Netherlands that was in Amsterdam and listened to a pair. He said they were amazing. The guy at Acc4Less.Com said I would not be disappointed. The shipping was over $100, as they are 90+ pounds each. This model was two years old. The price was 40% of retail. They are the finest audio purchase I have ever made. All for speakers I had never heard............

Thats great if you feel you have hearing similar to another person who has a pair of speakers your interested in buying. Question is, how do you know? Its a gamble at best. I'm very happy that it worked out for you.

I guess it comes down to preference. I don't like the hassle of repacking and having to ship speakers back. To me, thats a bigger pain in the a?? then going from store to store to audition them. Of course, I also miss out on big smile when I get a slip in the mail box saying your spekaers are ready to be picked up at the nearest postal outlet. This dealing with ID companies only.

I do think it ludicrous if one bought speakers unheard because they were too lazy to go a dealer that is in their town. That to me is inexcuseable.

 

[davidtwotrees]

I do think it ludicrous if one bought speakers unheard because they were too lazy to go a dealer that is in their town. That to me is inexcuseable.

It is also presumptuous to infer that one person is lazy because they don't subscribe to your belief system. If you knew me, the last adjective you would apply to me is "lazy". Perhaps I don't have your "golden" ears that allow me to detect slight nuances in audio gear. If my purchase was a gamble, it paid off handsomely. People that are so timid about their purchases really shouldn't pass judgement on those of us with a more robust outlook on life. I did go out and audition speakers. As FMW pointed out, I ended up spending a lot of time hearing speakers in places and on gear that was nothing like what I own or have.........