How long do speakers last?

My brother has a pair of Von Schweikert speakers that are 30 some odd years old.

The VR 33s are an excellent design intelligently made to keep the costs down. The sock instead of a veneer is an example of this. The sock can easily be replaced by any thin elastic fabric available at any fabric store. They are reasonably efficient. Any good 100 watt/channel amp will drive them to ridiculous volumes without any clipping.  The surrounds are butyl rubber and will last forever. The crossover caps may need to be replaced eventually but that is no big deal. Learn how to use a solder iron.

If you like the sound and the price is right go for it. Getting better speakers new would cost a lot more money.

@secretguy , Only until you work your way up to the right speaker and there is a "right" one for everybody..... if you can afford them.

2 years ago I sold my Clearfeield Continentals, which were Von Schweikerts when he worked for Counterpoint. They still sounded fantastic.

As for the question regarding how long speakers can last, I have a pair of 40 + year old KEF Reference Series Model 101 British monitors, as well as a pair of original Linn Kans from 1987 that are still going strong. I also have a 50 year old pair of FMI 80’s (Bob Fulton) from the early 1970s that still sound great.

for others considering very old speakers:

Many very old woofers, like my electro voice 15W (16 ohm), (and the Klipschorn variation of that woofer) had pleated fabric edges as the flexible material to allow movement of the cone.

Replacement cone must be that pleated fabric edge type: a complete surround/cone/coil/dust cap kit (very rare these days); or a replacement woofer ready to go.

I suggest checking the woofer details and availability of replacement parts/drivers before you buy a speaker with no parts/drivers available. Replacing woofer cones, or drivers, you want to replace both sides, so consider that when finding/buying replacements.

Yes, you can substitute a modern available driver of similar specs, so it’s not a dead end, just know first.

I just checked min on hifishark, no surround kits or 15w woofers available world wide.

Substitute woofer, 16 ohm ideally, but 8 ohm can be used, a slight change to frequency response  will occur from the crossover(not really critical compared to giving up)