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How long do high quality speakers "last"

I am the original owner of a pair of ProAc Response 2 speakers. They are almost 7 years old, but have never been driven excessively hard. How long (i.e. useful lifespan in years) can I expect these speakers to "last" (i.e. no significant sonic degradation) if I care for them carefully? When they do start to degrade, what mechanical failures and sonic degradations can I expect to occur? Thanks in advance!!!
mshan
kingharold
304 posts
 
I bought a pair of Series 1 Bose 901s (closed box, rubber surrounds) I bought in 1972.  My son still has them.  They look and play fine in his basement party room.
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,858 posts
 
Recently I saw a pair of Duntech Sovereign 2001's with all of the bass drivers worn due to age. The cone surrounds crumbled into dust in my hands! Now whether this was caused by sheer age, or due to excessive sun exposure I don't know...but the result is the same. Someone can probably replace the drivers...but it is going to be a project.
adg101
1,062 posts
 
44 year old pair of EPI 70’s still running strong; all original including the surrounds. Pretty sure the Pioneer receiver they run on is just as old and with original lamps and no LED crap lights either... still original caps too. Original owner. My teenage son now has this in his room.
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
Recently I saw a pair of Duntech Sovereign 2001's with all of the bass drivers worn due to age. The cone surrounds crumbled into dust in my hands! Now whether this was caused by sheer age, or due to excessive sun exposure I don't know...but the result is the same. Someone can probably replace the drivers...but it is going to be a project.
Not a big deal. I'll take them for cheap.......

jimbomex
1 posts
 
I purchased a pair of B&W DM1400's new in 1985 and have since used them almost daily. They have traveled across the continent with me and now reside in a smallish Mexican town. Since my hearing cannot possibly be as good as it was when I was a young whippersnapper I would love to be able to compare them to newer speakers of similar quality. To me they sound great with no discernible degradation in sound and have never required any repair. When buying them I auditioned, in person, many speakers at many audio shops over several weeks. At that time , in every major city there were real audio stores where you could do this. I was looking for a "natural" sound with the smallest amount of coloration. 
Since I cannot audition speakers here now, I have no way to compare the latest technology to know if my vintage(?) B&W's still remain valid as a true natural sounding set of speakers although they are 35 years old. Can a good set of old speakers be as good as current good ones? 



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