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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
bjw54
25 posts
 
I have a 30 year old pair of Legacy Focus speakers that look like new and sound
better then new. These are now in a secondary system, but I love the so much
I will doubt I will ever sell them. 
Post removed 
mofojo
2,289 posts
 
Nope 5 years can even be a current model. Like Revel Ultima for instance. I say 20 year is fine if the money is right. I’ve had 30 year old speakers and they sounded really nice and were original to my knowledge. 
scott22
260 posts
 
I buy all my gear used and the only negative surprise I ever had was not from the purchase but from Technic and the parent company Panasonic. I found out these companies could give a rats patoot about their customers. A word to the wise never buy from either of these companies regardless how good the product is. The product I got was excellent works fine but if you had a problem good luck trying to get help. I just wanted basic info. like headroom, or does the amp have limiter, what the signal to noise ratio useful information the manual did not have. their phone numbers don’t work or you get a recording sending you to a phone number that does not work one recording got close saying there is a 40 min wait time and if the product was over a year old they were going to charge you some mumbled amount on the barely coherent recording, F them.
I’ve dealt with PS Audio, Emotiva immediate and friendly help was a phone call away.
1971gto455ho's avatar
1971gto455ho
477 posts
 
Bought late model mint shape infinity IRS Beta’s and vintage very high end powerful amplification. Speakers have changed but insanely good from the past Is still fantastic even by today’s Standard. All the fairy dust and novelties will not take modern low end and make it anything but that. A lot of BS out there, ask PS Audio to put Tekton Moabs in their sound room…. Delusional 
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