Buying used vs new speakers from a technology perspective


Do you believe a speaker's components like drivers and crossovers can become "outdated" for lack of a better word? For instance say someone is selling a pair of speakers that cost $10k in 2008 for $5k now. Comparing that speaker to a modern day $5k new speaker only looking at driver design/drivers, cabinet construction, crossover components/layout and other materials what kind of technology gap are we looking at? 

Have there been technologies or designs that have come out in the past few years that you couldn't live without after hearing? 

 

 

blue_collar_audio_guy

Yes and no.  There are fantastic older speakers.  I think what has changed is how many new, inexpensive, great sounding speakers are out today. In addition to those, there are incredible deals to be had on pre owned speakers.  15 year old speakers that were originally $5k are on the used market for $1k-$1.5k.

 

 

Computer aided design might give you a flatter frequency response and better dispersion, as opposed to merely listening by ear, but in reality very little has changed.

If things had greatly improved then no one would be listening to old speakers any more than anyone is still using first gen cordless brick phones.

 

What was the last major across-the-board technical improvement?

I can’t think of any. Boxes are still boxes, cones are still cones, aren’t they?

Look at Harbeth for example, renowned speakers, but still only refinements of the ones that Dudley Hardwood was building 40 years ago. Same for Spendor, Tannoy, Bowers and Wilkins, JBL etc.

Maybe the Kef Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) as used in the LS50 Metas, or maybe not?

We shall see.

In any case, because of inflation, a top $10k speaker from 2008 would still beat most $5k speakers from today, though it would be surprising if they could fetch $5k.

Revel Salon 2 came out in 08 and still being sold as far as I know. 
 

I would put my Pioneer S-1ex up against any 10k new speaker today. 

Yep, I agree with @cd318. There hasn’t been much done to speaker design recently; same as pre-amp, in my opinion. Some improvement here and there but nothing dramatic. 

Vandersteen updates it's speaker components as new tech becomes available.

Most of the time, it doesn't mean a series upgrade, but just an evolution in design.

 

So, I say 'yes' to the belief that tech has improved with time.

 

Bob