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Buying used: how old is too old?

All,

Considering buying some used speakers from a well established company, e.g., Wilson, Focal, B&W, etc.

Aside from obvious technology updates, do speakers have a shelf life? If so is this measured in overall life, or number of hours played?

I’ve read some reviews that some speakers can really improve with age, no doubt longevity is going to be influenced by speaker drivers. Perhaps paper breaks down before other materials—I don’t know.

Old flagships can be bought for a fraction of their original cost and less than new mid-level speakers. No break in needed! But maybe they would be broken down?

I’m sure there have been numerous threads on this topic, but I didn’t find much in my search and am also interested in any recent experience on the topic.

Would be really interested to hear thoughts, opinions, and experience with this.

Thanks!
w123ale

Showing 1 response by iopscrl

iopscrl
192 posts
 
There is a reason why vintage JBL, Altec, Klipsch, AR, QUAD, ls3/5a and other speakers still enjoy robust demand (and prices !) today:  They sound GREAT and in some ways are better than what is available today.   The above mentioned brands enjoy excellent aftermarket support.

5yr old speakers are essentially new designs.

10-15yr old speakers are previous generation designs, in most cases.

With speaker 10yr+ old, I would look for surround deterioration, and eventual breakdown of crossover capacitors.  Both are easy to fix.

One issue to consider, is many speakers of the past 30-50yrs used dome tweeters.  The adhesives and suspensions in these tweeters seem to wear more quickly than other drivers.  Treble performance will slowly deteriorate as the driver ages.   


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