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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

Showing 2 responses by facten

facten
2,723 posts
 
I'm the exception to the other posters, being in a similar situation where there are no local dealers I've repeatedly purchased without audition, and with the exception of  one integrated amp, haven't been disappointed, nor have I found "synergy" to be a problem.

Not saying this is the approach to follow, just saying that haven't personally suffered angst over this. 
facten
2,723 posts
 
If I waited to listen to speakers in friends' homes I'd be dead 10 times over. Whenever I talk to freinds or people I work with about equipment they look at me like I have 10 heads; or ask me, questions like " hey what do you know about SONOS?". MHO, you can make it work without auditioning and not have to settle, nor have it be an excrutiating expereince
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