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

Who are these so called experts? None of them here.

I know it is all how it sounds in my listening space, no marketing, no bs spec sheets. Could care less. All sound.

I am curious how the experts choose speakers when upgrading? What are the priorities, what would make you stretch your budget?

@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,