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Buying used: how old is too old?

All,

Considering buying some used speakers from a well established company, e.g., Wilson, Focal, B&W, etc.

Aside from obvious technology updates, do speakers have a shelf life? If so is this measured in overall life, or number of hours played?

I’ve read some reviews that some speakers can really improve with age, no doubt longevity is going to be influenced by speaker drivers. Perhaps paper breaks down before other materials—I don’t know.

Old flagships can be bought for a fraction of their original cost and less than new mid-level speakers. No break in needed! But maybe they would be broken down?

I’m sure there have been numerous threads on this topic, but I didn’t find much in my search and am also interested in any recent experience on the topic.

Would be really interested to hear thoughts, opinions, and experience with this.

Thanks!
w123ale
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,252 posts
 
w123ale, like with expensive sports cars it is always best to let the first guy take the hit. You want a single owner speaker that was not exposed directly to sunlight preferable less than 10 years old. Many Wilson and Magico owners will always go for the next best thing. Their dealers usually resell the speakers. So go to Magico and Wilson dealers and tell them what you want and to call you if a pair comes up. Offer to give them a deposit or make yourself a customer by buying something. This is a safer way to go than buying on line as you can see the speakers before buying them. 
audiodwebe's avatar
audiodwebe
212 posts
 
I've bought many speakers 10, 20, even 30 years old.  I've not had issues with any of them.

Don't know if they degraded in sound over the years, though, as I don't have a new pair to compare them to.  

As long as they weren't abused and the drivers themselves look fine, I wouldn't hesitate to buy.  The "abused" part you can't tell by looking at the driver.  I look at the condition of the enclosure and guess that if it looks pristine, it's more than likely the previous owner(s) handled the speakers with care.
mglik
894 posts
 
Believe the major and obvious issue with very old speakers is surround break down. Many can be replaced.
On not so old, usually there are some small or not so small cosmetic issues. There are also some brands which are not currently popular which can be scored for 1/10th original price or more but still an incredible bargain. Buying used speakers off the Internet can be tricky to know if you will like them. Buying one of these highly discounted ones may be more difficult to resell. So, hearing some at a dealer is the safest way. Unless you buy a well known and popular pair that are just an older model and/or a bit scratched up.
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