How long do speakers last?

winnardt

158 posts

02-16-2023 at 12:41pm 

One of the safest bets in old speakers are Magnepans. No voice coils to burn out, no surrounds to dry up and disintegrate, no fancy cabinetry to get banged up. There is really very little to damage or go wrong in a Maggie but you do have to be careful around that ribbon tweeter. 

Delamination is common on these.

I’ve 14 years on a pair of Martin Logan’s, and they’re barely broken in as electrostats, I’d believe the VS will be worth the risk.

As others have said here, the big question is the bass driver surrounds.  Are they foam or rubber?  The foam surrounds can be counted on to hold up for 10 years and often longer.  But not that much longer.

Purchased the Altec Lansing A7-8 VOT speakers in 1974, outside of refreshing the cabinets the drivers, crossovers and horns have never been touched. Kept out of direct sunlight and never abused. 

My Acoustat Spectra 33's were built in 1988. 35 years old. I had the interfaces rebuilt last year, but the panels seem indestructible. I had the interfaces rebuilt as an upgrade, not because they weren't working . 

Enjoy the Music