2. speakers
  3. 124468-79517

Guidelines for buying used speakers (as in, are there any?)

HI,

Can anyone offer up some suggestions or guidelines for buying used speakers?

Initially I thought 5 years old max, buy from original (and only) owner, half original retail.

But then ...

Found some nice Zu Omen Defs ($1350) but they've had 2 owners.

Also found some Vandersteen 2c signatures ($900 + $100 shipping) but they're 10 years old and, again, 2 owners.

So you can see my guidelines may be preventing me from getting very high quality speakers at a good price.

The Defs I can listen to and physically examine; the Vandersteens would be purchased online.

Thoughts and comments would be appreciated.
128x128jimspov

Showing 1 response by bcgator

bcgator's avatar
bcgator
355 posts
 
I don’t care how many owners a pair of speakers has had, as long as they’ve been treated well. If all of the previous owners have taken great care of them, and they’re coming to you in near-mint or mint condition, what does it matter if they’ve been in 3 houses previously or 5? It’s speakers - not underwear.

There’s so much flipping going on, people buying gear just to try it and then move on to something else, it’s not uncommon for a perfectly good (and possibly heavenly sounding) pair of speakers to go from home to home until they match up with that person who says "THAT is the sound I’ve been looking for".

I'd love a pair of Wilson Benesch Endeavors, but the cost is a tad high ($50K)...so I'm waiting for a pair that have had 18 owners and are discounted enough for me!

I’m with Coli - price to condition, that’s all I need to know.   
More to discover