Guidelines for buying used speakers (as in, are there any?)

I don’t care how many owners a pair of speakers has had, as long as they’ve been treated well. If all of the previous owners have taken great care of them, and they’re coming to you in near-mint or mint condition, what does it matter if they’ve been in 3 houses previously or 5? It’s speakers - not underwear.

There’s so much flipping going on, people buying gear just to try it and then move on to something else, it’s not uncommon for a perfectly good (and possibly heavenly sounding) pair of speakers to go from home to home until they match up with that person who says "THAT is the sound I’ve been looking for".

I'd love a pair of Wilson Benesch Endeavors, but the cost is a tad high ($50K)...so I'm waiting for a pair that have had 18 owners and are discounted enough for me!

I’m with Coli - price to condition, that’s all I need to know.   

Zu speakers last.

I cannot speak to any of the speakers but the Vandersteen 2s. That speaker model line has been one of the best selling, most successful speakers for many years for good reason. A very good design and the sock enabled Richard to cut costs on cabinet wood and place value in the speaker by including quality drivers and components instead. His speakers are not gimmicky, just good design. I have the 2CE Sig II and I had listened to about a dozen different brands before I settled on them. Also, since so many of the 2 series were sold, that is part of the reason you can find them at a good price. They were sold new at a good price and there are many out there used which drives the price down a little

Buying second hand has its challenges.

Zu Essence ... saw a set, good price very intrigued ... seller claims he's had a bad experience and doesn't want me coming to his house so I can audition them. Hmmmm

Zu Omen Def's - he'll let me audition but I personally only want to make sure they're working. I've never heard a Zu before, don't want to put his speakers through the ringers like i might at an audio store.

Vandersteen, Totem's - seen some that intrigued me online but that's buying totally sight unseen. Ug.

2psyop -  I have the opportunity to purchase a 20 year set of 2s, seller says they sound pristine, said he took care of them "ike they were "another child" and rates as being in excellent condition - 9/10.

What kind of a lifespan do these speakers have? When would one typically expect degradation on the sound?