[darkjedimaster]

Hi all,

I should be getting my new AV in the new year & I was wondering if anyone has bought used speakers in the past ?. The reason I am asking is because I don't have that much money & know that like most things, there is always a risk with used products, especially speakers that may sound ok at first when trying before you buy, but could blow after a short period of time.

I have seen quite a nice 5.1 at Richer Sounds for £100 which are Pioneer Satellite speakers, but was worth wondering if it is worth getting some used ones, especially if someone is selling some decent tallboys for around the same price. Also due to the lack of shelves and the inability to put speaker shelves up due to the
location of wiring where my sofa & TV are located, I was wondering if the stands are worth getting for Satellite speakers, or is it worth just getting some tallboy's instead ?.

Many Thanks

[niall campbell]

used speakers are good as not really a lot to go with them

buy a 5.1 speaker system . some of them have tall boys. I would get your 5.1 speakers and add tall boys later on

[Doghouse Riley]

I'm using 1972 Goodman's Havant speakers. Had them since new.

Unless they've got damp and the fabric has started to deteriorate, or they've been miss-used, there should be no problems as long as the impedances match.
I'm using a thirty year-old tuner amp here, these are YouTube videos downloaded as mp3s and I filmed it on an old, small Lumix camera, which will do short videos with sound and they still sound great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIjaHH-qbPU

[evil c]

Check the back of the used speakers to make sure they are a 'matched pair' i.e. consecutive serial numbers.

[chrisjr]

I would never buy second hand speakers without knowledge of their background.

There are plenty of things that can go wrong with a pair of speakers.

It is very easy to blow a tweeter in a speaker either through abuse or just simply long term use. And sometimes the owner will be completely unaware the tweeter has blown!

I have known speakers where if you gently push the cone in and out you can hear the drive coil scraping on the magnet because the cone suspension has deteriorated.

So I would never ever hand over cash "deaf", I would insist on hearing the speakers first and listen critically for signs of wear and tear or abuse.

[Doghouse Riley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

I would never buy second hand speakers without knowledge of their background.

There are plenty of things that can go wrong with a pair of speakers.

It is very easy to blow a tweeter in a speaker either through abuse or just simply long term use. And sometimes the owner will be completely unaware the tweeter has blown!

I have known speakers where if you gently push the cone in and out you can hear the drive coil scraping on the magnet because the cone suspension has deteriorated.

So I would never ever hand over cash "deaf", I would insist on hearing the speakers first and listen critically for signs of wear and tear or abuse.

Good advice.

I've seen situations where people have moved speakers then re-connected them without checking the "+ and -" and then when connected wrongly complain about the performance.

It's easier to check the condition of speakers if they are like mine where the fronts are attached with Velcro pads at each corner.

[darkjedimaster]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I have seen it many times before where speakers have blown but have also seen shops selling perfectly working used speakers. I think what I will do for now is get the speakers new with some stands & then perhaps get some tallboys later on.

Thanks again to all that have replied

[Menoetius]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

I would never buy second hand speakers without knowledge of their background.

There are plenty of things that can go wrong with a pair of speakers.

It is very easy to blow a tweeter in a speaker either through abuse or just simply long term use. And sometimes the owner will be completely unaware the tweeter has blown!

I have known speakers where if you gently push the cone in and out you can hear the drive coil scraping on the magnet because the cone suspension has deteriorated.

So I would never ever hand over cash "deaf", I would insist on hearing the speakers first and listen critically for signs of wear and tear or abuse.

A friend of mine recently bought a pair of Mission 753 speakers on ebay. Thought he had a bargain. So much so, he drove from Manchester to Southampton to collect (he is a lorry driver, so used to the driving and his missus has free fuel for her car through her job). Got them home and both tweeters were shot and a couple of the bass drivers. Can't get replacements anywhere. Muppet !!

Another friend bought a pair of Mission 751s for £80 and they were pristine. Absolute bargain. Perfect match for his Marantz CD63 / Arcam Alpha 8 amp combo.

I sold a pair of B&W 603 floorstanders on ebay for £250 recently.
Buyer got a well looked after set of speakers in full working order. I only paid £25 for them 5 years ago. Quids in !!

Buying used can get you a great deal. Just make sure you collect and get a demo.
With almost 2 decades experience in hifi sales, I know what to look for - under priced bargains, under appreciated speakers etc. There are super deals to be had second hand.

[Menoetius]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evil c

Check the back of the used speakers to make sure they are a 'matched pair' i.e. consecutive serial numbers.

Most speakers, especially at the more budget end, are matched pair for finish only. It'll be about matching grain pattern rather than audio properties.

[evil c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Menoetius

Most speakers, especially at the more budget end, are matched pair for finish only. It'll be about matching grain pattern rather than audio properties.

My B&W DM 7 mk 2s bought new in 1982 are matched on audio properties and until I read your post I thought that was true of all matched pairs. I've learnt something!