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What to ask when buying used speakers?

I have purchased used components in the past and I can do this with confidence their functionality is well defined and easily verified. I am starting to look for a new set of speakers and will consider buying used. Assuming that I am doing this over distance and will not be able to inspect or demo the speakers in person, what are some good questions to ask to determine the real state of the speakers? Any red flags? Can used speakers have incurred subtle damages or wear that will affect the sound? For the sake of discussion, let's assume that they are less than five years old so we can rule out decaying surrounds and old caps, etc.

zlone
ellajeanelle's avatar
ellajeanelle
386 posts
 

If the seller is dishonest, he’s not going to reveal any problems such as a rubbing voice coil or if something is not original, such as a driver that was replaced with a non-original driver. Personally, I’d never buy a used speaker and if you are your main concern should be their refund policy/ warranty and if the seller would be required to pay for the return shipping. To me buying a used set of speakers is not unlike buying a used car and buying someone’s else’s problem. Many speakers also get abused and cranked up and from day one without properly breaking them in and that will also lessen their life expectancy!

grislybutter
2,972 posts
 
  • photos from each side
  • any scratches
  • look out for details on the photo, is it surrounded by a well cared for system, or on a bench outside?
  • original packaging
  • what amp it was used with
  • seller's communication - eager, strangely too eager, normal, reluctant, etc...
  • seller's background - when it's craigslist, or something iffy, definitely look them up e.g. linkedin
dayglow
1,882 posts
 

@ellajeanelle   +1   When buying used or demo/open box components a reputable audio dealer(brick/mortar) is the only safe option.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,793 posts
 

I am a lot more likely to buy a used component than speakers.    My last few speakers have been new , reason for that is my last pair of used speakers needed a part that took months to get...   the seller was kind enough to pursue the warranty but it took 4 or 5 months.     

The only used speaker in my experience that is a safe bet are speakers like Heresy, Forte, Cornwall....   if you have a problem they are easy and relatively cheap to fix.  

Best bet is a speaker that isn't too old and has a transferable warranty,  but not too many speakers have transferable warranty...     ATC is the only one I know of.  Maybe there are others?

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