When buying used speakers are cosmetics important to you?


I have an opportunity to buy a pair of used Totem Element Metal speakers that retail at $20k for $5k.  They are flawless from a performance perspective but have  cosmetic imperfections such as surface scratches that are not visible from the listening position, thus the price.  
How important are cosmetics to your purchase of used speakers?

triton20trx

Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

Congrats, Enjoy

Return option is an excellent option when buying used, and TMR ought to be a safe source, and you already know you like the sound of that maker’s speakers.

I would have a plan to improve the visual condition before parting with $5k, then how much I was daily aware of enclosure damage, they might get ’fixed’ soon or never.

i.e. a scratch or ding on the passenger side of my car will wait until a ding on my side, then they get fixed.

Not these, but if wood veneer, a damaged enclosure, or perfect but ’not special’ i.e. common wood veneer, can help lower the purchase price and make it easy to have a local woodworker clad them in something special.

for someone who knows how amazing these sound when ’right’, this $750. can lead to a wonderful looking renovation, better than the fairly common walnut or oak veneers the factory used.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156563883029?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=5d525352-8e66-11f0-85e9-343763653635

I'd change them to 1 rear wheel, centered, with anti-tipping blocks in the corners, that's more weight per wheel, and 3 never wobble, so movement, alternate toe-in is easy.