Am I crazy to buy speakers without hearing them first?

KLapinas
KLapinas Posts: 608
edited March 2013 in Speakers
So it looks like I will be purchasing some used speakers next week without getting a chance to hear them. Am I crazy?

I am looking at buying these: http://www.legacyaudio.com/images/uploads/manuals/discontinued/signatureIII.pdf

I have heard their big brother Focus 2020's and loved the sound and from most of the reviews they have a very similar sound but jsut not as much.
Post edited by KLapinas on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • plainoledave
    plainoledave Posts: 408
    edited February 2013
    There are too many variables at play but it's honestly up to you make that call. I have bought speakers without listening first but they have been "blowout" priced, so there was little monetary risk. For example, $279 Shipped for some M70's and my recent $300 set of Open Box lsi7's.

    If you're comfortable with your purchase, that's all that matters. Don't sweat it, they'll be fine. :mrgreen:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • adb3da
    adb3da Posts: 507
    edited February 2013
    There are cases where I would do it and where I wouldn't do it. In your case above I would probably do it if the price was right! A friend of mine has the Focus 20/20 and he's always looking for a pair of Signatures. Legacy is one worth gambling on IMO.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KLapinas
    KLapinas Posts: 608
    edited February 2013
    Looking to purchase them at about 25% of their original cost. Only one small blemish on the side of the cabinet.
    My thought process is that if I don't like them I should be able to at least sell them for what I am paying for them.
    Although it seems like speakers in the $1000/pair price range are not selling quickly on CL. I have been trying to move a pair of Mirage M-3si's and Infinity Kappa 8's and have had very little action on them, other than the scammers who are out of town for an extended business trip that will gladly pay me an extra $50 via certified check and have a freight company pick them up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • snake1
    snake1 Posts: 567
    edited February 2013
    Bought my towers without hearing them and haven't been disappointed!
    AVR - Onkyo NR809
    500gb HD for MP3 and FLAC files
    Amp - Parasound 2250 - FOR SALE BTW!! PM me if interested!
    Mains - Polk RTi12 towers
    Center - CSi5
    Surround - FXiA6's
    Sub - psw505
    Movies and games - PS3
    TV - Toshiba 52" HD

    Every vehicle has one good nuetral drop in it
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited February 2013
    Around late 1990 I ordered a pair of Carver Amazing Platinum Mk.IV's without ever having heard a pair of any Carver speakers. I read a review of them in The Boston Audio Society newsletter. They raved about them and said they replaced their previous reference speakers, AR-9, with a pair. I got them and the rest is history. Then around 2002 I went across the river to Transylvania and bought a pair of AR-9's without ever hearing a pair. The rest is history on those too.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Devlon
    Devlon Posts: 355
    edited February 2013
    Sometimes you have only the reviews to go by. I bought a number of speakers online just to try. I had never heard the Polk Lsi series nor the Mirage OMD's, but the endless 4/5 stars reviews on these was a good sign to me and so I purchased them......and, I am really glad I did! Nowhere could I find a dealer that stocked these speakers (Mirages were only online anyway). Some companies only sell direct so you have no option to hear them unless you know someone that has them, but then they will sound different in another system and environment. Legacy is considered one of the best speakers you can buy. I don't think you could go wrong here. However, I would always try to get a lower price! Good luck!
    Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
    2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

    Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
    1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited February 2013
    I bought all of my electronics w/o hearing or viewing them first. but research the heck out of them though.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2013
    Sometimes you have no choice. If I'm not mistaken, tonyb runs some legacys, and he's not the only one. So I would imagine that you could flip these pretty easily if you didn't like them. Although, I suspect you'll be keeping them.

    As to the criteria above: you can "flip" them, so why not?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited February 2013
    I've bought all my speakers (with the exception of 1 pair of Thiels I have) without hearing first. I just read reviews and trusted my judgment they would be for me and have had fun with it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2013
    I have the legacy focus with the same looking mid on it. Depending on price, ? or when they were made since I think they started around 1996? They are definately a good speaker.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,207
    edited February 2013
    Yes.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited February 2013
    We are all crazy here so don't worry about it just buy them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2013
    If you do your research then no you are not crazy.

    I bought a pair of LSi7s wthout hearing them first. Love them.
    I bought a pair of LSi11s wthout hearing them first. Love them.
    I bought a pair of PSB Synchrony One towers wthout hearing them first. Love them.
    I bought a pair of Aerial Acoustics 7T wthout hearing them first. Love them.
    I bought a LSi Center wthout hearing it first. Love it.
    I bought a PSB Synchrony One Center wthout hearing it first. Love it.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,207
    edited February 2013
    The two speakers just off the top of my head out of the plethora of speakers that have come and gone....that I did not listen too prior to purchase and both came with rave reviews? I hated. One, I wanted to do nothing but skip the damned tweeter across a lake because that's all it was good for and the other one had an issue with a woofer and required more power than God himself to properly power. Alright, slight exaggeration there but you get my point. After I started to rely only upon demoing the speakers prior to purchase? That's when my audio journey really progressed. Never again will I rely on reviews.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2013
    treitz3 wrote: »
    required more power than God himself to properly power
    Tom

    Carver Amazing Original? LOL
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,207
    edited February 2013
    You betcha'.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited February 2013
    I bought my first pair of Tyler Acoustics on reputation alone. It was the best audio purchase I've ever made. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose in this game of ours.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jason_k
    Jason_k Posts: 110
    edited February 2013
    I bought a set of Dynaudio Focus 160 a month ago on reputation also, blown away by these speakers. Best purchase I made yet.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited February 2013
    Pretty well summed up by everyone here. You will win some, you will lose some 'battles' in this hobby. I bought some speakers (Infinity Interludes" for condo HT. Looked amazing, reviews were great. These speakers were the most lifeless sounding speakers I ever bought.
    Had a pair of Totem bookshelves. My Rotel amp couldn't drive them, sounded thin and one-dimensional. Buyer brought his tiny NAD amp, and they sounded amazing with his amp, go figure.
    A pair of Polk RT1000p sounded fair after I got them. Started to sound great after I bought a stand-alone 2-channel amp for them. Polk CS245 center channel sounded just OK, CS400 sounded amazing compared to CS245.

    Bought my B&W CDM1 after listening to them for a couple of hours. Good decision, just because it was a lot of money to me, so had to be an informed decision.
    Bought a pair of Maggies MGII. Haven't listened to them until I finished repairing the tweeters and other minor upgrades. Was blown away by those speakers. Still have a pair (bought another pair a month after I sold mine).
    Just last weekend bought a pair of NHT 1.3a. Reviews were amazing, always wanted a pair of NHT speakers. Again, blown away by clarity and crispness of sound. Replaced a pair of B&W DM600i in our living room just after a couple of hours of listening.
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    If you do your research then no you are not crazy.

    I bought a pair of LSi7s wthout hearing them first. Love them.
    I bought a pair of LSi11s wthout hearing them first. Love them.
    I bought a pair of PSB Synchrony One towers wthout hearing them first. Love them.
    I bought a pair of Aerial Acoustics 7T wthout hearing them first. Love them.
    I bought a LSi Center wthout hearing it first. Love it.
    I bought a PSB Synchrony One Center wthout hearing it first. Love it.

    How do the LSi's stack up to the Synchronys? I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to buy a pair of LSi9's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2013
    I did this when I bought my RTiA9's. Before I became educated, it was appearance and specs that reeled me in. I'm sure I'll do it again someday too.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,005
    edited February 2013
    Have my Legacy Focus 20/20's for awhile now and feel no desire to upgrade. The signatures are great speakers in their own right, I think Phil had them at some point. Like some other members said, theirs just no substitute for large radiating surfaces to bring out those dynamics. Feed them some quality amplification and I'll bet in no time your scouring the 'gon for used Focus HD's. The sound isn't that much different from Polks, but more clear, airy, and a better seperation of instruments. My opinion of course.

    On the used market, the Focus HD's are a helluva steal. I've seen them for 3-4g's. You get alot of speaker for the coin and a furniture like finish. To me, the Focus line does almost everything the Whispers do, but with a better low end. Though the new Whisper HD's are suppose to be scary good. Bill at Legacy has his SE version of the Focus which is suppose to take that speaker to another level yet. For me anyway, my Legacy's are keepers and as they age I'll probably have Trey do the crossovers and keep them another 10 years. Heck, I'll probably croak before they will.....so if you see my wife on here selling them for a song you'll know I kicked the bucket.

    Congrats on your new speaks, like I said feed them some current, maybe throw in a tube pre and enjoy. I'm using Stralley Reality speaker cables with mine and silver IC'S. My Butler amp, a hybrid SS/tube, seems to dig the silver and Pepster has a new pair on the way to me to replace Bens silver ic's. Let us know your thoughts and If we can help ya, just ask.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2013
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    How do the LSi's stack up to the Synchronys? I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to buy a pair of LSi9's.

    The Synchrony Ones are better, more detail, bass, soundstage, etc. They are pretty much the same efficiency. Buy the LSi9s.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
    edited February 2013
    I picked up my CM9s based on the fact that I loved the CM5 and liked the CM8 but wanted the two combined...CM9.
    My polk M70s were the product of neweggs awesome price and the speakers had great reviews in a number of websites.
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited February 2013
    Yeah I got my lsim 706 on eBay for like half price. So yeah sometimes buying without hearing first pays off
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KellyMic
    KellyMic Posts: 166
    edited February 2013
    I bought my LSi25's based on past Polk experience and had never heard any of the LSi line. With a good company with a good name and reputation you have a good chance of loving them.
    ---
    Polk Studio Monitor 4.6 Series 2's, Polk RT1000p's, Polk LSi25's, Boston Acoustic VR-975's
    Crown D-75, Crown CE1000, Crown CE2000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brianle
    brianle Posts: 572
    edited February 2013
    I bought several speakers (Usher Dancer Mini 2, Polk LSi 9, Ascend Acoustic Sierra) based off reviews from professional and regular users. So far, I keep Usher Dancer Mini 2 the longest
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,393
    edited February 2013
    Sometimes even when you listen beforehand, you take them home and they just don't sound right.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chefkungfu
    chefkungfu Posts: 638
    edited February 2013
    No, your not crazy!!! I've purchased my towers w/o listening to them first! I'm super happy with them now!
    The way I see it, you can always replace the drivers and/or fix the cabinets! (touch up).
    SRT Seismic System with dual PSW1200's
    RT5000 x 2
    RT2000p
    CS400i
    CS350-LS
    LS F/X
    PSW650
    PSW1000 w/Dayton SPA1000
    DSW MicroPro 4000
    Adcom amps
    Pioneer Elite SC-89
    Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable
    PS4
    XBOX One
    MIT Interconnects
    BJC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited March 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    I'm assuming before you purchased, you had an idea of the sound signature of the RTi series though.

    Unfortunately, no. At the time I really didn't know anything about 2-channel or for that matter the truth about many Bose products as I had a full 5.2 Bose setup (No **** cubes). So coming here was a big learning experience. Knowing what I know now, I would have never bought the A9's unless they were for a dedicated home theater area of sorts.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter