How long do speakers last?


I ask because I have an opportunity to buy a pair of Von Schweikert VR-33's for an insanely good price. I get it: "it depends how hard they have been driven", but judging by the condition they were very nicely taken care of. My only concern is that will need repairs in the future whereas I could just spend that money on new speakers. On the other hand they sound fantastic. Just curious about the lifespan. They'd be a nice upgrade from my Klipsch bookshelves / sub combo.

mucker

The surrounds are all rubber on those drivers.  Clarity Cap on the tweeter.  I would worry more about my hearing going bad before the speakers do.

Unabused speakers last a long-time. As has been said above, speakers with linen or butyl rubber / neoprene surrounds will last many decades. Foam surround speakers less time, but still a couple of decades.

Older speakers had issues with surrounds, but you can get them refoamed. On rare occasions, you might have the paper dry rot and then you might be screwed.

Thank you all for your replies. There is some great wisdom here. 

 

Considering how little I am paying for them, the worst case is I can just sell them without a loss if I don't like them. But from all accounts they should be great speakers that I will enjoy for many years.

Thanks again for the insight and replies.

I just re foamed my pair of Bose 301’s that were bought in 1977 and they still run great. I use them for my front surrounds in a second tv room. This also includes having them in a garage setting in northern Wisconsin for 16 years as well.