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Speaker life expectancy: How long can you buy used

I'm in the process of assembling a cost-effective second system with high quality used or demo gear for use in a relatively small room (appr. 20qm, normal height, wardrobe, big window, carpet, sofa, apart from the size of the window quite average really).
I saw a pair of Avalon Monitors, that I think could fit the bill at 30% of the original price, mint by the looks of them BUT seven years old! In spite of the good things I hear about Avalon's longevity, I do wonder whether it is wise to buy a seven year used speaker, any speaker.
Apart from considerations of wear, where would you draw the line that even a steeply discounted speaker of justified fame in its own time will likely not be able to compete anymore with new products that may cost just about the same amount of money, new that is. And are there exceptions to the rule?
Any considerations or experience you may want to share?
Karel
karelfd
fishboat
245 posts
 
I'm running Snell Type A's that are 28 years old and they sound GREAT. The woofer surrounds have been replaced. If you use the right surround replacements and break them in you should be good to go.

Seven years old...? Just nicely broken in.

.
sherod
1,690 posts
 
I have a 1986 pair of Rauna Tyr II monitors in my bedroom system that still sound absolutely superb. The woofer surround is rubber so it has many more years of good use. I have these powered by a rebuilt Pilot 402 receiver(1959 vintage) and it sounds better than I had ever hoped for.
xiekitchen
821 posts
 
7 years old? what a youngster! ditto I have some speakers 30 and 35 years old and they sound great.
david12
1,454 posts
 
My mother is using my Leak speakers bought 2nd hand in 1969 and my son is using Monitor Audio speakers bought in 1988. Can anyone beat 37 years?
The problem is aging of the rubber surrounds of old drivers and presumably, crossover component failure.
davt's avatar
davt
500 posts
 
I know mine will last at least 25years, thats when the warranty runs out. I think that we live in a culture where we assume that we need to continualy change and that everything is very temporary and easily replaced and I think that colors our perception of longevity. I think speakers will last many many years if well cared for.
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