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...do great speakers increase in value over time in the vintage market?

Hello to all...

I have a pair of JBL L25 "PRIMA" speakers, made 1972, case in 7/10 shape (not repainted), surrounds on woofers reformed several years ago, grill cloth replaced several years ago, includes JBL badges on speakers. Original 1972 price $169/ea. 

Recent searches of this speaker in the vintage market show prices 50% OR MORE than the origional issue price: ???

Is this that good a speaker design? - I have read comments saying it his/was one of the best speakers ever made by JBL (at that time?) - and I do luv their sound (which I now wonder if I've ever really heard them?) especially with well-recorded jazz and have the ability with little power to ROCK OUT!

(Would greatly appreciate any comments by those who have/had these over the years...)

DO GREAT SPEAKERS INCREASE IN VALUE OVER TIME, or do/should all depreciate in value...
insearchofprat
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
I've done my time (like brief prison sentences) with various vintage gear. I would never turn to vintage to get superior sound, and in my estimated 99% of the cases are lousy "investments ".
Vintage is good for nostalgia. Buy at your own significant risk of poorer sound and loss of money.
mtdining's avatar
mtdining
131 posts
 
The vintage market is driven by nostalgia. People lust after something when they can’t afford it and then come across it when they can. My first good speakers were LS3/5as, bought for $650 in 1981. I somewhat regret selling them to get my first big electrostatics a couple years later.
the problem is that they are functional items which suffer with age (capacitors, surrounds especially). The market is also driven by ignorance. A new pair is &3k and are bested in every way by a pair of Paradigm 15Bs for half the price.
wilson Audio speakers are remarkable for holding value after initial depreciation. They are far better than other speakers, but I still would rather have a smaller new Wilson than ones even one generation back, as the best designers keep learning!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
NO!  Unless it is a JBL Paragon!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
I amend the above! Just now remembered my Rogers LS3/5A's cost new $450 in 1976. Now sell used for $1200 - $1600! And worth it! I paid $960 for my pair 3 years ago.
testpilot
991 posts
 
I amend the above! Just now remembered my Rogers LS3/5A's cost new $450 in 1976. Now sell used for $1200 - $1600! And worth it! I paid $960 for my pair 3 years ago.


$450 in 1976 is approximately $2,050 in today's 2020 dollars. 

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