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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
56 responses Add your response
fleschler
2,012 posts
 
@bjw54   I have a 28 year old pair of Legacy Focus speakers that look like new and sound better then new. These are now in a primary system that costs about $70,000 in a $160,000 room.  I intend to upgrade to a $35,000 to $50,000 speaker (used Von Schweikert or Evolution Acoustics)  As to the Legacy Signature IIIs in my living room (and eventually will be added to my video rooms when I find more of them under $2,000) I love them so much I will doubt I will ever sell them.   I used your quotes because I agree so much.   I had to replace the deteriorated foam Sig III bottom woofer surrounds only (the other two have durable rubber surrounds).  
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Speakers do not wear out i have some 73 year old speakers that happen to be the best ones that i own of my many pairs so if they are a quality speaker do not be afraid of the old ones especially if you have a professional type driver in them.
ghdprentice
7,022 posts
 
I think it depends on the speaker. I had some ESS AMT 1Ds that had the cones disintegrate after about 15 years. I have had my 2 of my 20 year old 4 B&W 800 “retaped”.  Some of the older speakers may have been made out of material that may not hold up… some appearent ly does.
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
ghdprentice - AMT 1D’s have Poly cones that don’t disintegrate and the rubber surrounds are pretty durable, but can be replaced.
Paper cones and various other cone materials are also durable unless they have been exposed to direct sunlight and heat. It does depend on the speakers, but my main system uses Altec’s. I still also have some full-size ESS Heil in the guest suite. Both are 70’s vintage and excellent. I would have the crossover capacitors replaced with high grade modern caps.
jnovak's avatar
jnovak
422 posts
 
hey @jnovak - I had a pair of Polk's back in the 80s - I think is was floor standing 12B's. I liked the open tweeter on top and I was happy like you for a good while, until I heard speakers with bass.
  Oh yes, I know the Polks aren't the last word in bass response. The Model 10A's are not in my main listening room. I own them because what to do with a 40 year old pair of speakers? I have five kids so possibly one day, I'll hook them up for one of them. Connected to a midfi receiver, they sound pretty darn good though.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,834 posts
 
Breakups and suspension are the two major issues with older speakers. Suspensions, especially foam surrounds, perish. So the drivers (in particular the woofers) might need at the very least a new surround installed.

Breakups are inherent in the driver design and tend to be more problematic in older drivers as driver design has improved over the years. Breakups cause harshness- such a speaker might sound find at lower levels but get shouty at higher levels.
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