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What is considered a "standard" percentage of devaluation per year foor high end speakers?

As the title of the thread indicates, what is a standard devaluation per year of high end speakers in generally  good condition. 

Often, on Audiogon, sellers ask for 50-to 65% of the retail price for speakers that are between 7-10 years old (or even discontinued) regardless, whether they paid retail or not. 

I realize that condition and the number of owners is a determining factor, and it should be. 

Thank you,  S.J.


sunnyjim
17 responses Add your response
Post removed 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Here is what I paid for my DCM Time Windows 1A (my third pair!): List price in 1984 - $1200. I paid $219 + shipping from an EBay seller. So stuff can depreciate quite a lot! Other stuff (like a Marantz 7 and 8B) can go up a lot in value! 
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,893 posts
 
I like Elizabeths formula....It had held true for a number of speakers I've bought and sold...  
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,274 posts
 
There is no "standard" rate.

(1) In my experience the suggested 40% knockdown in year one can easily range to 50%, and do not necessarily plateau there with no further reduction ad infinitum..

(2) The variable depreciation in estimated fair market value, -- independent of what year out it is-- is also HIGHLY influenced by the state of the economy at the time you pull the trigger. Intuitively, expect a harsher grind-down in gloomier times.

(3) Thirdly, ALWAYS parse out a depreciated value for a dealer trade-in from any proposed private sale value. They don’t equate in any manner. The former is always going to be a much harsher mistress .... full stop.

jl35
4,017 posts
 
another variable is how often the manufacturer changes models, or changes a speaker without a model change designation...some 7-10 year old speakers are still current, some have been upgraded/changed a number of times...
snapsc
676 posts
 
I think you also have to look at value from the buyers perspective:

1.  How much shipping am I going to have to pay
2.  What has been the average time a similar loudspeaker has taken to resell...as an example on audigon
3.  How well known and reviewed is the loudspeaker
4.  Do I have a couple of equally interesting alternative loudspeakers that I'm interested in
5.  How much do I trust the seller

These are just a few...therefore, as a seller, you can easily see how your actual selling price might range from 40-70%.


czarivey
5,946 posts
 
jbl studio speakers hold best value decades. best investment. the same reason i purchased fj-cruiser.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Wow i will be up all night worrying about that.
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
+1 Elizabeth nailed it!
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,893 posts
 
Four years ago I purchased a like new pair of Revel M106 for $1250.   Listed them on Craig’s for $1100,  sold for $1000.  Buyer was happy,  I was happy to get $1k, effectively “renting” them for $250.  

I bought my my amps for half of new at only 13 months old.  Unlikely I’ll sell those anytime soon but they will be worth close to what I paid for a few years if I ever did. 

I like buying used if it functions like it should but it has to be super clean or I’ll pass.  Like anything condition and demand dictate resale value.  
Post removed 
salectric
755 posts
 
Buy good vintage gear and you can enjoy appreciation, not depreciation.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,179 posts
 
At least 50%  on most speakers if sold on Audiogon
Dealer lucky to get 40% .  Wilson a, B&W and a few other hold value well or if Hot with several great reviews . Rule of thumb sell if possible a few weeks after a nice review ,and link to the ad.
I have sold nodded speakers night and day better then stock 
But most Audiophiles know little about Xover builds ,just parts name  you get little extra back for your efforts.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To roberjerman:   DCM Time Windows are/ were a terrific speaker for their time in 80's.  I sold them in mid-to high end store in Pennsylvania. The shape of their cabinet is still being duplicated today by many manufacturers.    
willydewoofer's avatar
willydewoofer
3 posts
 

You cannot listen to %

Buying second hand is the way to go. Let rich people pay the most %.

sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

To willydewoofer  Actually my question is based on a speaker that is 4 years old and still  retails for $3500. The issue in this context is not "sound quality", but determining reasonable devaluation from retail.  

I am not going to pay retail. I don't think sellers seem that desperate at this time, if I am correctly reading AG's speaker listings. Though, there seems to be several  big ticket speakers in the 15,000-30,000  on the selling block


To shadone: If you claim Elisabeth "nailed it"  with her devaluation formula, I will clean up a pair of Rectilinear 7's in the basement and put them on sale.  I think they were current in 1973 and designed  by Richard. Shahinian who passed away in November 2017   

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,742 posts
 

sunnyjim


which brand? which model for $3500?

Happy Listening!

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