Buying used vs new speakers from a technology perspective


Do you believe a speaker's components like drivers and crossovers can become "outdated" for lack of a better word? For instance say someone is selling a pair of speakers that cost $10k in 2008 for $5k now. Comparing that speaker to a modern day $5k new speaker only looking at driver design/drivers, cabinet construction, crossover components/layout and other materials what kind of technology gap are we looking at? 

Have there been technologies or designs that have come out in the past few years that you couldn't live without after hearing? 

 

 

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To me there are two types of speakers, technical and musical. For those who are looking for the latest in technology upgrades, speaker material, capacitors, Crossovers, etc. There is always a need to find a speaker that has the latest technology. As for.music speakers, it is in the ear of the beholder; yes they are not go above 20 HZ or below 40 HZ, but because of their overall design they sound amazing. That is why Altec speakers, Harbeth, etc. are still bringing top dollar today. For money, a great musical speaker 5 years old at half the price it was is well worth the money. And with that don't forget the quality and craftsmanship that went into designing them.

Absolutely buy used. A ten year old TOTL speaker is better than a new middle of the roader.

Having been into upgrades or mods for over 20 years by far the biggest offense 

in speakers is 90% of all loudspeaker makers use Average to low quality Xovers 

and I am referring to speakers over $10 k . Using electrolytic capacitors in the bass has been used a lot because of cost and sizes ,they are Garbage

and most use $1resistors  and No a resistor is not a resistor sonically.

i use the Excellent $30 retail Path audio , and the New Mundorf Ultra  resistors are excellent ,even inductors many use cheap $6 sledge hammer iron inductors.many great capacitors.out there depending on budget.

i buy a older speaker,a quality speaker under 10 years old , using quality brand name drivers ,and well built cabinet . I just finished a excellent dynaudio tower for 1/4 of the new price .i put in  $1500 in parts and it sounds far better then the current new model. the Xover is the ♥️ and the 🧠of the speaker  and can totally transform a speaker ,the connectors for example most use gold over brass ,vs copper which is not good sonicly vs Copper WBT, or Furutech , also quality of wire give better detail and clarity,Everything  counts.

I remember going to someone's house who demonstrated an Electrovoice 12 TRX speaker installed in his home built bass reflex box.......great sound.

I would really like a pair of AMT 1’s from 1974, sealed box woofer. ESS used cheap woofers in well-designed heavy boxes. The woofers were of the rolled pleated edge surround system, unlike todays cheesy foam surrounds. Rolled edge speaker surrounds do not rot or turn to dust.  I currently have a pair of Electro Voice EV7 in the garage.  I would bring them in, except the vinyl clad exterior is peeling in a crappy way leaving a speaker covered in aluminum foil that is glued to the plywood.  1960s technology that delaminates.